Working Around or Over Water
Date Posted: 08/14/2016
Most drowning incidents occur in inland waters such as rivers, lakes, canals or marinas and are caused by careless behavior and lack of safety awareness.
Exposures
Open storage tanks / water treatment facilities
Pond dams or work along banks
Narrow banks and steep slopes
Docks or piers
Drowning Prevention
Working platforms must be properly constructed including toe-boards and guard-rails. Secure boards to prevent being dislodged by rising water or high winds.
Ladders should be lashed.
Safety harnesses must be worn where appropriate.
Use fall restraint instead of fall arrest
Lighting must be adequate for night work and illuminate the immediate surrounding water surface.
Check on your co-workers at frequent intervals.
Materials must be stacked in order to maintain clear access.
Tools not in use must be stowed away.
Ensure that work-floats are properly loaded, stable and securely moored.
Ensure deck access and egress are clean and don’t become slippery. Deal quickly with hazards.
If there is a risk of drowning, wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved type I, II, III, or V personal floatation device (PFD).
When working from a boom supported elevating work platform over water, you are required to wear both a fall harness and a PFD.
Emergency Preparations
Never work alone, use the “buddy system”
At least one U.S. Coast Guard approved 30-inch life ring with not less than 90 feet of line attached shall be immediately available.
Provide employees with first aid, CPR training
At least one lifesaving skiff shall be immediately available at locations where employees are working over or adjacent to water.
Each skiff, or skiffs, shall be suitable for conditions where used, be equipped with oar locks securely attached to gunwhales, oars, one boat hook, and one U.S. Coast Guard-approved 30-inch life ring with fifty feet of suitable line attached.
Questions for Discussion
Why is a personal floatation device a necessity when working around water?
How do we rescue an unconscious worker in the water?
Presenter tips
Pre-read the Toolbox Talk. Your comfort level and confidence will be higher if you know your topic.
Discuss related tasks, work areas or events that make the Toolbox Talk relevant to your job site.
Involve the workers by asking questions and input that drives discussion.
