To enable physical surveys@ inspections@ and maintenance activities to be conducted effectively@ consideration needs to be given to how the vessel will be designed@ in particular@ means of access arrangements. The effectiveness of the design of means of access can be maximized@ as illustrated in this Guide@ through the application of ergonomics to the vessel??s structural designs and arrangements. This Guide presents two (2) levels of means of access guidance. The first level provides the base criteria to meet the IMO requirements. The second@ and preferred@ level of guidance incorporates the application of ergonomics to the IMO means of access requirements. This Guide overlaps@ in several areas@ with two existing ABS publications: the ABS Guidance Notes on the Application of Ergonomics to Marine Systems and the ABS Guide for Ergonomic Notations. These publications are recommended companion documents to further promote the application and understanding of ergonomics principles to vessel designs. The application of ergonomics to the means of access requirements can improve overall personnel performance and safety@ while reducing the potential for human error.