Mooring and Fendering Installation

Mooring and fendering systems are fitted to quay walls, jetties, and pontoons to secure vessels safely.
Installation involves heavy lifting of steel bollards, fender units, and chain systems in marine environments.
Work takes place on quay edges and over water, creating constant drowning risk for operatives.
Fender units and mooring equipment are extremely heavy, often requiring crane lifts and rigging.
Tidal conditions affect access, working platforms, and the ability to position components accurately.
Drilling and fixing into concrete quay walls generates noise, vibration, and silica dust.
Workers are exposed to crush risk between fender units and the quay wall during placement.
Marine-grade fixings, anchor bolts, and chemical anchors must be installed to the design specification.
Boat access may be required to inspect and install fendering below the quay deck level.
CDM 2015, LOLER 1998, and maritime safety requirements all apply to mooring installation activities.

Prevent drowning	All work takes place on quay edges or over water — PFDs and rescue plans are essential for every operative.
Crush injuries	Heavy fender units swinging during crane placement can crush workers between the unit and the quay wall.
Lifting hazards	Mooring equipment is heavy and awkward — planned lifts with exclusion zones prevent injuries from dropped loads.

Do

Don't

Wear a PFD at all times when working on quay edges or over water during installation
Use planned lifting operations with exclusion zones for all heavy mooring components
Check tidal conditions and plan work windows for access and component positioning
Ensure rescue equipment is positioned and accessible at the immediate work location
Brief all workers on the emergency rescue plan before starting quayside operations
Use tag lines to control heavy fender units and prevent swinging during crane placement
Install anchor bolts and fixings to the design specification and torque requirements
Maintain safe standoff distances during fender placement to prevent crush injuries
Use water suppression when drilling into concrete quay structures to control silica dust
Inspect all lifting equipment and rigging accessories before each lift operation

DON'T work on quay edges without wearing a correctly fitted personal flotation device
DON'T stand between a fender unit and the quay wall during crane placement operations
DON'T carry out lifts without a specific lift plan for each mooring or fender component
DON'T work over water from boats without trained crew and vessel safety checks
DON'T ignore tidal changes that may cut off access or alter working platform levels
DON'T drill into quay walls without checking for embedded reinforcement and services
DON'T use underrated fixings or anchors that do not meet the design specification
DON'T leave rescue equipment in the vehicle — position it at the quayside work area
DON'T lift heavy mooring components without tag lines controlling the load's swing
DON'T carry out installation in high winds or sea states that make crane lifts unsafe

See also: Marine Works Safety Awareness | Working on Quays and Jetties

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