Name a basic safety guideline for handling ropes on deck.

• A. Always wear bright gloves.
• B. Tie every rope into knots at every step.
• C. Keep hair and clothing secured; avoid loose ends; never step on a line.
• D. Leave lines unsecured when not in use.

Answer: (C)

Safe rope handling on deck focuses on preventing entanglement and trips by controlling what you wear and how lines are managed. Keeping hair and clothing secured, avoiding loose ends, and never stepping on a line reduces the risk of snagging, pulling, or tripping as lines are moved or walked over. Hair or loose clothing can catch on cleats, hardware, or moving gear, leading to injuries or loss of balance. Loose ends can snag on footwear or gear, and stepping on a line can cause you to slip or drag the line, creating a dangerous situation. While gloves offer hand protection, they don’t address these bigger hazards and can give a false sense of security if not used properly. Tying knots at every step is impractical and can hinder safe movement, and leaving lines unsecured when not in use creates clutter and another trip hazard. So the best practice is to keep hair and clothing secured, avoid loose ends, and never step on a line.