Write a toolbox talk on working around water

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# WORKER SAFETY DURING FLOODING AND CLEANUP (cont.) ## The following are cases of Kentucky workers who were killed due to flooding or flood cleanup efforts: (cont.) Keeping workers safe during flooding and flood FLOODED response/cleanup23 Employers should be prepared for flooding: Find out if your worksite is in an area susceptible to flooding. If you are in an area prone to flooding, monitor local news sources or the National Weather Service for flood watches and warnings. Have plans for evacuation and ensure that all workers know what to do in case of an emergency. Driving during flood conditions: Employers should prepare workers who drive as part of their job to take extreme caution when driving in flood conditions. Drivers should be instructed not to drive through flooded areas and to turn around and find another route. Cars can be easily swept away in flood waters even when it may not appear deep. Special caution should also be taken at night when visibility is low. Drivers should follow signage and avoid driving around barriers. Drowning: Workers should not work alone near water and should always wear a Coast Guard-approved flotation device. Even experienced swimmers can be overtaken by fast-moving flood waters. Electrical hazards: Downed and damaged power lines are common during flooding. Workers should be advised to stay back from any downed lines and to report to the appropriate electrical utility company. Only trained electrical utility workers should work on damaged utility lines. Electrical utility workers should complete a job hazard analysis before beginning any work, and, whenever possible, the lines should be de-energized before work begins. Tree/limb removal: Fall and crush or struck by injuries are common in tree removal. Also, downed trees/limbs have the potential to be in contact with energized power lines and should be inspected prior to beginning work. Workers should conduct an analysis of hazards before beginning work. Only equipment…

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# WORKING ON OR NEAR WATER Last Review: 08/01/2025 Date Published: 05/12/2025 ## Working on or Near Water Construction work that takes place in or near water can be dangerous for both workers and the public. It is important to take specific precautions before undertaking such work. It is easy to forget that even standard construction tasks like culvert replacements, bridges, storm management ponds, large sewers, and ditches can pose a risk. A person can drown in just a few inches of water, especially if the banks are muddy and slippery. Exposure to cold water can lead to hypothermia, even on a warm day. ## HAZARDS OF WORKING ON OR NEAR WATER - Drowning-related hazards include rising floodwaters, fast currents, and deep water. • Cold water shock, incapacitation, and hypothermia. • - Movement of vehicles and machinery near the water's edge, particularly during maintenance work. • Potential unmarked edges and insecure banks. • Exposure to extreme weather conditions, direct sunlight, or cold temperatures. Hypothermia, heat stress, and cold stress. • Electrical hazards, such as using electrical equipment, tools, and machinery around water, can lead to electric shock. • Entanglement - lake and river vegetation or submerged discarded debris. • Falling from heights. Slippery surfaces. ## GENERAL SAFE WORK PROCEDURES FOR WORKING OVER OR NEAR WATER • A competent person should periodically conduct and review a task-specific risk assessment for work over or near water. All potential hazards involved in this work, such drowning, overturning mobile plant/equipment into water, and collapse in confined spaces, should be identified, listed, and addressed. as • Warning signs shall be posted on the project to warn the public and workers of the hazards around the water. • All workers must always be alert and aware of their fellow workers. • Remove slip-and-trip hazards near the water. If removal is impossible, ensure that the hazards are well-marked and that wor…

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# MEMORANDUM (cont.) ## Discussion: (cont.) Issue: Bridgework and fall protection, skiffs, and other things that float. a) Is fall protection for work on bridges required at 10 feet or six feet? b) How do we evaluate if a skiff is immediately available? Discussion: Fall protection is required when there is a hazard of falling 10 feet or more, except during steel erection activities. There are additional rule requirements when a drowning hazard exists when working on, near, or over water. Review the appropriate standard for specific division requirements. A brief overview and discussion is provided. ## Division 3 (Construction), Subdivision E, 1926.106, Working Over or Near Water 1926.106 (a) Employees working over or near water, where the danger of drowning exists, shall be provided with U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or buoyant work vests. When continuous fall protection is used, regardless of the fall distance and without exception, the employer has effectively removed the drowning hazard, and life jackets or buoyant work vests are not required. However, there may be activities on the jobsite apart from those where fall protection is used that would necessitate ring buoys and skiffs. The minimum depth of water where the danger of downing exists is not defined. A drowning hazard could exist when employees are working near or over water that is less than 2 feet deep. For example, when a worker is not using fall protection and falls from 9 feet above the surface of the water: if the worker survives the fall, but is knocked unconscious, a drowning hazard could exist. 1926.106(c) Ring buoys with at least 90 feet of line shall be provided and readily available for emergency rescue operations. Distance between ring buoys shall not exceed 200 feet. 1926.106(d) At least one lifesaving skiff shall be immediately available at locations where employees are working over or adjacent to water. When fall protection (e.g., harness and lanyard) is used 100 percent…