I did an Anti-slip paint job on a boat's walkway (Luxury bar/restaurant venue on the Thames) recently for a client who had slip issues. That's now been sorted. On the back of that he's asked me if I could paint the hull. Naturally I said yes (£££ signs whizzing through my head), but I know absolutely nothing about the H&S practicalites of dangling over the side of the vessel. Anyone with any experience of this?? Kit req'd etc etc

I presume this is not in the water, in which case a normal access system, such as a tower system or possibly a step ladder depending on the height. If it is still in the water and you are only doing the top bit, then you will also need a life jacket. The owner should be able to loan you one if you promise not to get covered in paint!

Working over water you will need to consider where practicable how you can prevent falling into the water, life saving equipment, and rescue as the current can take you away very swiftly

what do you do to stop paint dropping or if it has dropped? That may be a question asked by the EA if you are doing this either in/or out of the water; the point being is that you need to update yourself re these environmental areas

If it drips, it drips into the Thames - hardly a catastrophe

Don't want to get your hackles up Tester, but looking over your thread it may suggest that you are not a 'competent' contractor to carry out this work.

Tester Being an ex-offshore scaffolder with vast overboard experience, where the scaffolders go over the side of the Oil platform there where certain procedures and Control Measures but in place before going overboard. Providing a Safe Access and Egress for the operatives is the First thing to consider, maybe a Rope Access company can be hired as hiring Scaffold will be to costly. The rope access operatives are trained and multi disciplined in a number of trades, so painting won't be a problem. Important that a rescue plan is in place for actions on operatives falling and dangling from their harness. Having a safety boat is a possibility as the currents in the Thames are fast flowing, a watchman with communications onboard to summon emergency services in the event of persons going overboard. A complex operation when you summon up the Risks but can be overcome with the introduction of some of the above Control Measures. Give me a PM if need any more info/advice as there's more I could add without going on. Good Luck. Allan

Looking at the other post re Risk Assessment by the same poster he may of course be undertaing the RA for the Painter and not actually doing it. If this is the case then perhaps he needs to get somebody else to do it. Bob