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Working over water

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Toolbox Talk: Working Over Water

Date: [DATE] Duration: [DURATION] minutes Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME] Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

The objective of this toolbox talk is to educate participants on the safety measures and procedures necessary when working over water to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all workers involved.

Introduction

Working over water presents unique hazards, including the risk of drowning and equipment-related accidents. It is crucial to understand and implement safety protocols to protect workers in these environments.

Presenter Note: Engage the audience by asking if anyone has personal experience related to working over water.

Key Points

  • Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs): Workers must wear a Coast Guard approved or equivalent PFD when working over water, especially on floating or unstable surfaces [1].
  • Rescue Devices: Ensure that rescue devices such as ring buoys and throwable rescue devices are available within 200 feet of the work area [2].
  • Guardrails and Walkways: Install guardrails and walkways to provide safe passage and prevent falls into the water [3].
  • Regular Inspections: Conduct periodic inspections of equipment and work areas to ensure safety and compliance with regulations [3].
  • Emergency Preparedness: Have a clear emergency plan in place, including procedures for rescue and first aid [2].

Hazard Identification

Common hazards when working over water include:

  • Drowning: The primary risk when working over water, especially if proper safety measures are not in place.
  • Slips and Falls: Wet and unstable surfaces can lead to slips and falls into the water.
  • Equipment Failure: Malfunctioning equipment can lead to accidents and injuries.

Presenter Note: Encourage participants to share any additional hazards they've encountered.

Control Measures

Discuss the hierarchy of controls:

  • Engineering Controls: Install guardrails and secure walkways to prevent falls [3].
  • Administrative Controls: Implement safety training and regular safety drills.
  • PPE: Ensure all workers wear appropriate PFDs and have access to rescue devices [1].

Safe Work Procedures

  1. Conduct a safety briefing before starting work.
  2. Ensure all workers are wearing PFDs.
  3. Inspect all equipment and work areas for safety compliance.
  4. Set up guardrails and secure walkways.
  5. Have rescue devices readily available.

Presenter Note: If possible, demonstrate the safe work procedure or use visual aids.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

  • PFDs: Must be worn at all times when working over water and must be the correct size and in serviceable condition [1].
  • Rescue Devices: Ensure they are accessible and in good condition [2].

Real-World Example or Case Study

Discuss a scenario where a worker fell into the water due to a lack of guardrails and was rescued using a ring buoy. Highlight the importance of having safety measures in place.

Presenter Note: Ask participants if they can relate this example to their own experiences.

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

  1. What are the most common hazards you've encountered when working over water?
  2. How can we improve our current safety measures?
  3. What additional training or equipment do you think is necessary?

Presenter Note: Encourage active participation and facilitate the discussion.

Emergency Procedures

Outline the steps to take in case of an emergency:

  1. Alert all workers and stop work immediately.
  2. Use rescue devices to assist anyone in the water.
  3. Call emergency services if necessary.
  4. Administer first aid as needed.

Questions and Answers

Encourage participants to ask questions and provide answers to common questions related to the topic.

  • Q: What should I do if my PFD is damaged?

A: Replace it immediately with a serviceable one.

  • Q: How often should rescue devices be inspected?

A: Regularly, as part of routine safety checks.

Summary

Recap the main points covered in the toolbox talk:

  • Always wear a PFD when working over water.
  • Ensure rescue devices are available and accessible.
  • Install guardrails and secure walkways.
  • Conduct regular safety inspections.

Action Items

List specific actions participants should take following this toolbox talk:

  1. Check the condition of your PFD and ensure it fits properly.
  2. Familiarize yourself with the location of rescue devices.
  3. Participate in regular safety drills and training.

Remember: Safety first, last, and always.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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3 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

Page 1704

Open source document

Source excerpt

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - (G) Guardrails, walkways, and standard handrails shall be installed. - (H) Approved life rings (see: 46 CFR 160.099 and 46 CFR 160.050) with line attached and maintained to retain buoyancy shall be provided. - (iii) Log booms and ponds. - (A) Walkways and floats shall be installed and securely anchored to provide adequate passageway for employees. - (B) All regular boom sticks and foot logs shall be reasonably straight, with no protruding knots and bark, and shall be capable of supporting, above the water line at either end, the weight of an employee and equipment. - (C) Permanent cable swifters shall be so arranged that it will not be necessary to roll boom sticks in order to attach or detach them. - (D) Periodic inspection of cable or dogging lines shall be made to determine when repair or removal from service is necessary. - (E) The banks of the log pond in the vicinity of the log haul shall be reinforced to prevent caving in. - (F) Artificial log ponds shall be drained, cleaned, and refilled when unhealthy stagnation or pollution occurs. - (G) Employees whose duties require them to work from boats, floating logs, boom sticks, or walkways along or on water shall be provided with and shall wear appropriate buoyant devices while performing such duties. - (H) Stiff booms shall be two float logs wide secured by boom chains or other connecting devices, and of a width adequate for the working needs. Walking surfaces shall be free of loose material and maintained in good repair. - (I) Boom sticks shall be fastened together with adequate crossties or couplings. - (J) Floating donkeys or other power-driven machinery used on booms shall be placed on a raft or float with enough buoyancy to keep the deck well above water. - (K) All sorting gaps shall have a substantial stiff boom on each side.

[2] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

Page 872

Open source document

Source excerpt

Division 2 AO 2-2023 Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division ## (2) Definition. - (a) Rescue device - A ring buoy and line, gaff pole, throwable rescue device or other device that serves as a means to rescue somebody from the water without requiring the rescuer to enter the water. (3) - (a) Workers in water must wear a Coast Guard approved or equivalent, wearable personal flotation device (PFD). - (b) Workers over water on floating or unstable surfaces must wear a Coast Guard approved or equivalent, wearable personal floatation device (PFD). - (c) Piers, docks, wharves and work sites along developed shorelines must have rescue devices available within 200 feet of the water or shoreline work area. Stat. Authority: ORS 654.025(2) and 656.726(4). Statutes Implemented: ORS 654.001 through 654.295. History: OR-OSHA Administrative Order 1-2001, filed 1/18/01, effective 3/1/01.

[3] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

Page 871

Open source document

Source excerpt

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Oregon Administrative Rules AO 2-2023 Division 2 ## Additional Oregon Rules for Personal Protective Equipment ## [redacted phone] Working Underway on Water - (1) Scope and Application. This rule applies to all employees not covered by Division 3, Construction; Division 4, Agriculture or Division 7, Forest Activities. - (2) Definitions. - (a) Boat - means every description of water craft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water, but does not include aircraft built to land on the water. - Example: A partial list includes: boats, rafts, barges, pontoons, dredges and floating logs. - (b) Serviceable condition - means the flotation device is able to perform the function that the manufacturer intended. - (c) Underway - means when a boat is not at anchor, or moored, or made fast to the shore, or aground. - (a) Workers in boats that are underway must wear a Coast Guard approved or equivalent, wearable personal flotation device (PFD). - Exception: Workers, below deck or in enclosed parts of boats, like cabins and pilot houses need not wear the PFD but must have it at hand. - (b) The PFD must be the right size for the wearer and must be in serviceable condition according to the manufacturer's requirements and recommendations. Stat. Authority: ORS 654.025(2) and 656.726(4) Statutes Implemented: ORS 654.001 through 654.295. History: WCB Administrative Order 9-1974, filed 3/19/74, effective 4/15/74. OR-OSHA Administrative Order 9-1993, filed 7/29/93, effective 9/15/93. OR-OSHA Administrative Order 1-2001, filed 1/18/01, effective 3/1/01. ## [redacted phone] Working Over or In Water - (1) Scope and Application. This rule applies to employees not covered by Division 3, Construction; Division 4, Agriculture or Division 7, Forest Activities. These rules apply where the danger of drowning exists and the water is more than 5 feet deep. These rules do not apply to law enforcement or emergency servi…

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