EN 13281:2023

Inland navigation vessels - Safety requirements for walkways and working places

This document specifies the safety requirements for walkways and working places on inland navigation vessels in the areas used for work.
Walkways in the passenger area are governed by requirements which are outside the scope of this document.
Requirements related to the marking of safety and health protection are not covered by this document.
This document specifies safety requirements for walkways and working places within the meaning of European Parliament and Council Directive (EU) 2016/1629 of 14 September 2016 laying down technical requirements for inland waterway vessels.

Fahrzeuge der Binnenschifffahrt - Sicherheitsanforderungen an Verkehrswege und Arbeitsplätze

Dieses Dokument legt die Sicherheitsanforderungen an Verkehrswege und Arbeitsplätze auf Fahrzeugen der Binnenschifffahrt im Arbeitsbereich fest.
Für Verkehrswege im Fahrgastbereich gelten Anforderungen, die außerhalb des Anwendungsbereichs dieses Dokuments liegen.
Anforderungen bezüglich der Sicherheits- und Gesundheitsschutz-Kennzeichnung sind nicht Inhalt dieses Dokuments.
Dieses Dokument spezifiziert sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen an Verkehrswege und Arbeitsplätze im Sinne der Richtlinie (EU) 2016/1629 des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates vom 14. September 2016 über die technischen Vorschriften für Binnenschiffe.

Bateaux de navigation intérieure - Exigences de sécurité relatives aux voies et postes de travail

Le présent document spécifie les exigences de sécurité relatives aux voies et postes de travail sur les bateaux de navigation intérieure dans les zones utilisées pour travailler.
Les voies situées dans la zone réservée aux passagers sont régies par des exigences qui sont exclues du domaine d’application du présent document.
Les exigences relatives au marquage de protection de la santé et de la sécurité ne sont pas couvertes par le présent document.
Le présent document spécifie les exigences de sécurité relatives aux voies et postes de travail au sens de la Directive (UE) 2016/1629 du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 14 septembre 2016 établissant les prescriptions techniques applicables aux bateaux de navigation intérieure.

Plovila za celinske vode - Varnostne zahteve za sprehajalne in delovne površine

Ta dokument določa varnostne zahteve za prehode in delovne prostore na plovilih za celinsko plovbo v območjih, ki se uporabljajo za delo.
Prehode v potniškem prostoru urejajo zahteve, ki so zunaj področja uporabe tega standarda.
Zahteve v zvezi z označevanjem varnosti in varstva zdravja niso zajete v tem standardu.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 07-Mar-2023
• ICS: 47.060 - Inland navigation vessels
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 15 - Inland navigation vessels
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 15 - Inland navigation vessels
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 08-Mar-2023
• Due Date: 31-Aug-2023
• Completion Date: 08-Mar-2023
• Ref Project: SIST EN 13281:2023 - Inland navigation vessels - Safety requirements for walkways and working places

Relations

• Replaces: EN 13281:2000 - Inland navigation vessels - Safety requirements for walkways and working places
• Effective Date: 23-Jun-2021

Overview

EN 13281:2023 is a European standard developed by CEN that defines safety requirements for walkways and working places on inland navigation vessels. This standard focuses exclusively on areas used for work activities, excluding walkways in passenger zones and marking of safety and health protection. It aligns with the technical requirements set out by the European Parliament and Council Directive (EU) 2016/1629 for inland waterway vessels. EN 13281:2023 supersedes the earlier 2000 edition and ensures that vessels meet modern safety and ergonomic practices.

Key Topics

• Scope and Definitions
  Specifies safety criteria for walkways (areas intended for pedestrian movement such as side decks, aisles, and passageways) and working places (locations where crew members perform duties).

• Walkway Safety Requirements

  • Minimum clear width of 0.60 meters and height of 2.00 meters for walkways.
  • Special considerations for side decks with permissible reduced widths in specific conditions.
  • Slip-resistant surfaces (R10 classification) to prevent falls.
  • Drainage provisions to avoid water accumulation.
  • Design requirements for steps: stairs must be present when height differences exceed 0.50 meters.
  • Stairs and climbing devices (ladders) must follow referenced EN standards for safety and durability.

• Emergency and Exit Provisions

  • Minimum two exits for machine rooms, working spaces, wheelhouses (with certain spatial exemptions).
  • Emergency exits with a clear opening of at least 0.60 m² and accessible without tools.
  • Fixed railings ensuring safe navigation near exits.
  • Dedicated climbing aids for emergency exit access if required.

• Boarding and Gangways

  • Structural securing points for boarding stairs and gangways in line with standards EN 1502, EN 17361, and EN 526.
  • Safe equipment and launching devices for ship’s boats according to EN 1914.

• Working Places Requirements

  • Provision of clear and safe space for work activities onboard.
  • Hatch covers designed to withstand structural forces, prevent injury risks such as squeezing or shearing, and enable safe operational use.
  • Requirements for ventilation, temperature control, and natural lighting inside enclosed working places.
  • Protection measures against noise and vibration hazards.
  • Wheelhouses and control stations designed for ergonomic safety and accessibility.

• Protection Against Falling

  • Mandatory railings, bulwarks, and hatch coamings of regulated minimum height.
  • Handrails specified to ensure safe movement on board.

• Lighting

  • Prescribed illuminance levels to maintain optimal visibility for safety on walkways and working places.

Applications

The EN 13281:2023 standard applies specifically to owners, designers, and builders of inland navigation vessels operating on European waterways. It guides safety engineering for vessel walkways, working platforms, and access routes ensuring:

• Enhanced crew safety through reduced risk of slips, trips, and falls.
• Compliance with European technical directives, facilitating vessel certification and operational approval.
• Improved ergonomic conditions for workspaces, promoting crew well-being and productivity.
• Safer evacuation and emergency procedures supported by well-designed exits and emergency routes.
• Standardized boarding and launching equipment that supports efficient and risk-free vessel operations.

Maritime authorities and classification societies also utilize EN 13281:2023 to evaluate vessel compliance and safety performance, reinforcing consistent safety practices within the inland navigation sector.

Related Standards

EN 13281:2023 references several complementary European standards for related components of inland vessels, including:

• EN 526 - Requirements for gangways not exceeding 8 meters in length.
• EN 711 - Design and types of railings for decks and side decks.
• EN 790 and EN 13056 - Specifications for stairs with varying inclination angles.
• EN 1502 - Boarding stair requirements.
• EN 17361 - Standards for outboard ladders.
• EN 13574 - Climbing devices on vessels.
• EN 1914 - Safety aspects for ship’s boats and lifeboats.
• EN ISO 14122-2 - Safety of machinery related to permanent means of access like walkways and working platforms.
• EN 29519 - Rungs for dog-step ladders.

These interrelated standards collectively ensure holistic safety measures across inland navigation vessels’ walkways, access points, and working areas.

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Keywords: EN 13281:2023, inland navigation vessels, safety requirements, walkways, working places, ship safety standards, European inland waterway vessels, vessel walkways, crew safety, emergency exits, maritime safety, vessel working platforms, boarding stairs, ship railings, ergonomic vessel design.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2023
Plovila za celinske vode - Varnostne zahteve za sprehajalne in delovne površine
Inland navigation vessels - Safety requirements for walkways and working places
Fahrzeuge der Binnenschifffahrt - Sicherheitsanforderungen an Verkehrswege und
Arbeitsplätze
Bateaux de navigation intérieure - Exigences de sécurité relatives aux voies et postes de
travail
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13281:2023
ICS:
47.060 Jezerska in rečna plovila Inland navigation vessels
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 13281
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
March 2023
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 47.060 Supersedes EN 13281:2000
English Version
Inland navigation vessels - Safety requirements for
walkways and working places
Bateaux de navigation intérieure - Exigences de Fahrzeuge der Binnenschifffahrt -
sécurité relatives aux voies et postes de travail Sicherheitsanforderungen an Verkehrswege und
Arbeitsplätze
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 23 January 2023.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13281:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Safety requirements for walkways . 5
4.1 General . 5
4.2 Dimensions . 5
4.2.1 General . 5
4.2.2 Special requirements for side decks . 5
4.3 Surface condition . 6
4.4 Steps in walkways . 6
4.4.1 General . 6
4.4.2 Stairs . 6
4.4.3 Climbing devices . 6
4.5 Exits, emergency exits . 6
4.6 Boarding ladders and boarding stairs . 7
4.7 Gangways . 7
4.8 Ship’s boats . 7
5 Safety requirements for working places . 7
5.1 General requirements . 7
5.2 Hatches and hatch covers . 7
5.3 Working places on deck and inside the vessel . 8
5.4 Protection against noise and vibration . 8
5.5 Wheelhouses and control positions . 8
5.6 Doors and covers . 8
6 Lighting . 9
7 Protection against falling . 9
7.1 Railings, bulwarks and hatch coamings . 9
7.2 Handrails . 10
Bibliography . 11

European foreword
This document (EN 13281:2023) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 15 “Inland
navigation vessels”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2023, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by September 2023.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 13281:2000.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are listed below:
a) editorial changes in definition 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4;
b) essential requirement for traffic routes and side deck (4.2.1 and 4.2.2);
c) reference to swinging derrick deleted (Clause 2, 4.2.2 and 4.8);
d) emergency exits: dimension increased and access aids required (4.5.4);
e) reference to outboard ladders (4.6);
f) illuminance levels required (Clause 6);
g) bulwarks and hatch coamings: minimum height increased and slip-on elevations regulated (7.1);
h) basic requirement for handrails (7.2);
i) Annex ZA has been deleted;
j) editorial adjustments.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies the safety requirements for walkways and working places on inland navigation
vessels in the areas used for work.
Walkways in the passenger area are governed by requirements which are outside the scope of this
document.
Requirements related to the marking of safety and health protection are not covered by this document.
This document specifies safety requirements for walkways and working places within the meaning of
European Parliament and Council Directive (EU) 2016/1629 of 14 September 2016 laying down technical
requirements for inland waterway vessels.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 526, Inland navigation vessels - Gangway with a length not exceeding 8 m – Requirements, types
EN 711, Inland navigation vessels - Railings for decks and side decks - Requirements, designs and types
EN 790, Inland navigation vessels - Stairs with inclination angles of 45° to 60° - Requirements, types
EN 1502, Inland navigation vessels - Boarding stairs
EN 1864, Inland navigation vessels - Wheelhouse - Ergonomic and safety requirements
EN 1914, Inland navigation vessels - Work boats, ship’s boats and lifeboats
EN 13056, Inland navigation vessels - Stairs with inclination angles of 30° to < 45° - Requirements, types
EN 13574, Inland navigation vessels - Permanently installed climbing devices with a length not exceeding
5 m
EN 17361, Inland navigation vessels - Outboard ladders
EN 29519, Shipbuilding and marine structures - Rungs for dog-step ladders (ISO 9519)
EN ISO 14122-2, Safety of machinery - Permanent means of access to machinery - Part 2: Working platforms
and walkways (ISO 14122
...