29 CFR §1917.124
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)General. The employer shall provide safe means of passage between different surface levels and across openings.
- (b)[Reserved]
- (c)Dockboards (car and bridge plates).
- (1)Dockboards shall be strong enough to support the loads imposed on them.
- (2)Portable dockboards shall be anchored in position or be equipped with devices to prevent their movement.
- (3)Hand holds or other effective means shall be provided on portable dockboards to permit safe handling.
- (4)Positive means shall be used to prevent railcars or highway vehicles from being moved while dockboards or bridge plates are in position.
- (5)Be designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent vehicles from running off the edge. 10
- (6)Dockboards shall be well maintained.
- (d)Ramps.
- (1)Ramps shall be strong enough to support the loads imposed on them and be designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent vehicles from running off the edge. 11
- (2)Ramps shall be equipped with a guardrail meeting the requirement of § 1917.112(c)(1) if the slope is more than 20 degrees to the horizontal or if employees could fall more than 4 feet (1.22 m).
- (3)Ramps shall have slip-resistant surfaces.
- (4)When necessary to prevent displacement by vehicle wheels, steel plates or similar devices used to temporarily bridge or cover uneven surfaces or tracks, shall be anchored.
- (5)Ramps shall be well maintained.