52Access for livestock to and from the vessel

52 Access for livestock to and from the vessel

(1) For loading livestock onto the vessel or unloading livestock from the vessel, there must be a ramp or other means of access suitable for the species.

Note Downward sloping ramps are not considered suitable for camels when loading into a livestock space.

(2) The ramp or other means of access must:

(a) be load tested every 5 years

(b) be set up so that there is no gap between it and the vessel at any time the ramp is in use; and

(c) have an arrangement to close it off either at the top or the bottom; and

(d) for the species mentioned in Table 3 — comply with that table; and

(e) for all other species:

(i) be set at a gradient suitable for the species to be loaded or unloaded; and

(ii) be fitted with:

(A) side panels that are free of protrusions and strong and high enough to prevent escape of livestock; and

(B) a non-slip walking surface with battens suitable for the species.

(3) The closing arrangement mentioned in paragraph (2)(c) must:

(a) for sheep, pigs, goats or any other species other than cattle, horses or camels — be a gate capable of being quickly closed; and

(b) for cattle, horses or camels — be a sliding gate capable of being quickly closed; and

(c) for all species — be positioned close to or at the entry point to the vessel.

(4) Any ramp or other means of access that is part of the vessel’s equipment must be designed to support a uniformly distributed load over the walking surface of at least the value mentioned in Table 1 for the species mentioned in the item.

Table 1 — Ramp —supporting load

(5) The maximum permissible tensile stress for material used in the construction of a ramp or other means of access is the value mentioned in Table 2 for the material.

Table 2 — Ramp materials — tensile strength