Working over or near to water bodies

OSHA 1910 VS OSHA 1926

• To put it simply, the OSHA 29 CFR 1910 regulations detail general
industry safety regulations and apply to most worksites. Alternately,
the OSHA 29 CFR 1926 standards focus on the construction industry,
and identify the specific work-related risks associated with it. This
makes sense, as construction has distinct environmental and job
hazards not commonly found general worksites.

• CFR Title 29 - Labor is one of fifty titles comprising the United States
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), containing the principal set of
rules and regulations issued by federal agencies regarding labor.
• For both industries, it is the duty of the employer to have suitable fall
protection systems in place wherever a fall hazard exists. To get an idea of
the variables you might encounter, here are some of the ways the two
standards compare:
• Threshold Height: Fall protection is required above 4 feet (1910) versus
above 6 feet (1926)
• Guardrails: The top edge of the railing shall be 42 +3/-1 inches high and
withstands a force of 200 lbs – this applies to both 1910 and 1926.
• Safety Gates: Both the 1910 and 1926 make specific mention that self-
closing gates should be used at guardrail openings
• Work Platforms: A railing is required when working over 4 feet above the
ground level (1910) versus above 6 feet (1926).
• Safety Net Systems: This is not addressed in 1910, but 1926 requires that
safety net systems are installed as close as possible under the
walking/working surface, but not lower than 30 beneath.
• Personal Fall Arrest Systems: Both 1910 and 1926 state that the maximum
free fall distance is 6 feet, with a maximum arresting force of 1,800 lbs to
prevent a person from making contact with the lower level.
 WORKING NEAR OR OVER WATER-OSHA
• Part Number:
• 1926
• Part Number Title:
• Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
• Subpart:
• 1926 Subpart E
• Subpart Title:
• Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment
• Standard Number:
• 1926.106
• Title:
• Working over or near water.
• 1926.106(a)Employees working over or near water, where the danger
of drowning exists, shall be provided with approved life jacket or
buoyant work vests.
• 1926.106(b)Prior to and after each use, the buoyant work vests or life
preservers shall be inspected for defects which would alter their
strength or buoyancy. Defective units shall not be used.
• 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 working above water, employers must provide fall protection if
the distance from the walking/working surface to the water's surface
is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more.

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) states that "each employee on a

walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an
unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower
level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems,
safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems." Therefore,
employers must provide fall protection during construction activities
when employees are working 6 feet or more above the water.
When fall protection is provided on walking/working surfaces located
above water, and no drowning hazard exists, employees do not need
to wear approved life jackets or buoyant work vests.

Section 1926.106(a) states that "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." In general,
when continuous fall protection is used (without exception) to prevent
employees from falling into the water, the employer has effectively
removed the drowning hazard, and life jackets or buoyant work vest are
not needed
When using Safety Nets as fall protection, approved life jacket or
buoyant work vests are usually required.

The use of safety nets as fall protection during marine

construction activities usually will not eliminate the drowning hazard.
In many cases (such as in bridge construction) there is a risk that
materials heavy enough to damage the nets may fall. In such cases the
personal flotation device and the other applicable requirements of
1926.106 apply. Also, the 1926.106 requirements apply during the
installation of the nets.
The use of fall protection, including fall protection that eliminates
drowning hazards, does not relieve employers from having to provide
ring buoys and a lifesaving skiff under §1926.106(c) and (d)

The requirements in §1926.106(c) and (d) for ring buoys and a skiff
address the hazard of falls that may occur in the event of a failure of
the operation of fall protection devices or a lapse in their use.
Therefore, ring buoys and a skiff ( small boats)must be provided
irrespective of the fall protection provided on the marine construction
site.
 HSW act 1974-UK
General
• All work activities will present a range of health and safety issues that
need to be properly managed. The basic principles involve
the identification of hazards, assessment of risks, designing safe
systems of work, ensuring the workforce are properly trained,
equipped and supervised, and having appropriate procedures in
place.
• When work has to be carried out on or in the vicinity of water several
additional hazards must be introduced and very carefully evaluated
and controlled.
• Legal Requirements
• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 applies to all workplaces
and work activities. This sets out the general duties of employers
towards their employees and members of the public, and the duties
employees have to themselves and to each other.
• Employers are required to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable,
the health safety and welfare at work of their employees, and any
other persons who might be affected; provide a safe working
environment; health and safety training, instruction and supervision;
and any necessary protective clothing and equipment.
• This therefore applies to water safety
• Employees are required to take reasonable care for their own health
and safety and that of others who may be affected; co-operate with
their employer in matters of health and safety; report dangerous
situations; and make proper use of the safety equipment provided.

• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

require employers to carry out suitable and sufficient assessments of
risk to employees and others who might be affected by work
activities, and to put in place appropriate risk control measures.
Consequently all aspects of the work will need to be considered
during the risk assessment process, including the hazards presented
by working on or near water.
• The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996
require employers engaged in construction work to take all
reasonably practical measures to prevent persons falling into water;
to minimise the risk of drowning in the event of a fall into water; and
to provide suitable rescue equipment (rescue boat) and training in
the use of it.
• Also, the transportation by water to or from work sites must be done
safely; and any vessels used should be suitable, properly maintained,
under the control of a competent person and not overcrowded or
overloaded.
 Hazards

• Any workplace over, on or near water presents a danger that persons

might slip or fall into the water, be swept off their feet by wave
action, tide action, strong currents or swell from passing water traffic.
• Adverse weather is also a factor that can increase the danger, and
work conditions can change quickly.
• Whether or not a person is injured by falling in the water, there is an
immediate risk of drowning and/or being carried away by water
currents.
There are a number of hazards that need to be considered when working on or
near water. These include both safety and potential health issues. They may
include:
• the risk of falling into water and drowning
• contact with contaminated water, presenting, for example, the risk of Weil’s
disease
• manual handling and lifting hazards
• electrical hazards
• trips, slips and falls
• exposure to chemicals
• the effect of extreme weather
• impact with submerged objects
• floating or submerged debris
• hypothermia
• sunburn and heat stress
• insect/bee stings.
• Sound precautions must be taken, firstly to prevent persons entering
the water and, secondly, if the worst happens, to ensure that they
will float and are rescued in the shortest possible time.
• A standby rescue boat allows in water rescue in the shortest possible
time. It is essential, when working on or near water that safe systems
of work are in place based on a thorough risk assessment and that
staff are properly trained and instructed.
 Risk Assessment
• The legal requirements for working on or near water concentrate on
the need to perform “suitable and sufficient” risk assessments, which
can only be achieved if the risk assessment process is effectively
planned and managed.
• It is up to companies and other organisations to make sure such
planning and management is in place, otherwise tragedies can occur.
• An integral part of the risk assessment is to evaluate the risk. This will
involve taking into account the likelihood of an injury occurring and
the severity of the injury suffered.

• It will be important to consider who is at risk, and this may involve

vulnerable groups such as young apprentices or migrant workers.
The controls will vary depending on the work and situation involved and may
include the following.
• Working with a partner or team when working around or on water.
Preferably at least two people need to be in sight of each other at all times.
A rescue vessel may also be required.
• Communication devices are necessary, and they must be waterproof,
suitable to the area of operation and tested before work commences.
There must be an emergency plan, including provision for rescue and
contact, if necessary, with the emergency services.
• Proper provision must be made for first aid. Specialist training and
equipment may be required.
• Lifebuoys, meeting an approved standard with a suitable buoyant lifeline of
adequate length attached, should be available within around 50m of any
working position where a person could fall into the water.
• Suitable personal buoyancy equipment, such as lifejackets, should be
provided by employers and worn by everyone at risk.

• Selection of the correct buoyancy equipment depends on a number

of factors including frequency of use, size/weight of the wearer, the
ability of the wearer to swim, whether protective or foul weather
clothing is being worn, whether or not tool belts or other loads are
being carried, likely weather conditions and availability of help.

• European standards exist for buoyancy equipment. Each standard is

intended to be suitable for different activities and conditions.
Equipment therefore needs to be carefully selected from the
appropriate standard, taking into account the factors mentioned
above.
• Other PPE should be provided as necessary to provide protection
against other hazards, such as chemical exposure.

• Operators also need to cover broken skin and wash hands thoroughly
after coming into contact with water from rat-contaminated areas.
Early symptoms of Weil’s disease are non-specific and could be
misdiagnosed at the stage when treatment is most effective. Those
who work in areas where there are rats should consult their doctor if
symptoms such as feverish headaches and general aches and pains
similar to influenza occur.

• Insect repellent should be worn along with long-sleeved work wear.

• All electrical installations and equipment should be constructed,
installed, operated, protected and maintained to prevent the risk of
danger from electric shock or burns.

• This needs to take into account foreseeable weather conditions and

the environment in which they will be used. Special attention should
be paid to “earthing” if the supply is from portable generators.

• As necessary, guard rails to prevent falling into water are required, eg

on walkways and platforms. Suitable footwear may be required to
reduce the risk of slipping.
• Training and supervision are an essential part of adequate control
measures. All persons must understand clearly any procedures in
place and what action they must take to protect themselves,
including in an emergency.
• Facilities for warmth and shelter may be required.
• Standby safety/rescue boat present at all times
• Whenever reasonably practicable fixed edge protection must be
provided to prevent people falling into water
• Where edge barriers are not reasonably practicable at exposed edges,
e.g. quay edges, appropriate warning signs and/or edge markings
should be displayed to highlight the danger.
• De watering pumps, emergency lamps, Adequate ventilation, crane
standby, tripods, brow/ gangway etc
• Safe means of access and egress should be provided between a vessel
and (i) another vessel; (ii) the shore; (iii) a workplace on land/over
water.
• Efficient lighting should be provided at all means of access and egress.
Means of access and egress and their approaches should be free from
obstruction and, as far as practicable, kept clear of any substance
likely to cause a slip, trip or fall
• Ramps of adequate strength should be provided for the access of
vehicles from land to vessels, or vice versa.
• Ramps for vehicles should not be used as access gangways for people
unless a suitable separation is provided.
• When working on or near water consideration must also be given to
the health implications of falls into the water. The water may possibly
be polluted, for example when working near sewage discharge points,
and there is the ever-present risk of contracting leptospirosis (or
Weil’s disease) from water contaminated by rat urine.
 Causes of Entry into water
• These include:
• Falls from height
• Trips, slips, stumbles from low level
• Persons being knocked over by moving objects (e.g. crane loads,
vehicles, etc.)
• Loss of balance (e.g. by high winds, sudden boat movements, etc.)
• Failure or absence of edge barriers
• Failure or absence of fall prevention equipment, ropes, lines.
• Floating platforms or vessels sinking.
• Tide action, waves or swell from passing waterborne traffic.
 Danger of Falling into Water
• The most immediate danger is of drowning. Factors that can
contribute to this are:
• Shock from sudden immersion in cold water
• Weight of waterlogged clothing
• Life jacket not being worn (or not inflating)
• Incapacity following injury – caused by striking an object during a
fall, or whilst in the water.
• Fatigue or hypothermia where rescue is not immediate.
• Hypothermia and hyperthermia are two extreme, but equally concerning,
states of temperature loss or gain. Hypothermia occurs when you lose
more heat than your body can produce and you feel very cold.
Hyperthermia occurs when your body produces more heat than it can lose.
The elderly are the most vulnerable to experiencing these extremes in
temperature, as they have a reduced ability to adjust to colder, or hotter
temperatures.
• Hypothermia may occur if you are exposed to cold temperatures or a cold,
wet, windy environment for a long amount of time. Getting drenched in
the rain on a cold, windy day, and not drying off, for example, may lead to
hypothermia. However, hypothermia may also occur if you aren’t wearing
enough warm clothing on a cold day. The following symptoms of
hypothermia include:
• Shivering
• Uncertain, speechless, irritable (yes, really)
• Slurred speech
• Extremely slow breathing rate
• Skin that is cold and pale
• Feeling fatigued or lethargic
• Complications of hypothermia may include getting frostbite (and
subsequent loss of limbs) or coma. If you or someone you know may be
suffering from hypothermia, immediately contact a health care provider or
call 911. Keep the affected person warm, dry, and indoors while waiting for
medical help. To prevent hypothermia, it is helpful to stay warm and dry in
cold weather and avoid excessive alcohol consumption. In addition:
• Wear a hat or other protective clothing to prevent body heat from escaping
your head, neck, and face.
• Wear mittens, instead of gloves.
• Wear layers (preferably the loose-fitting, lightweight kind).
• Wear outer layers made of tightly-woven, water-repellant material to
protect against the wind. Inner layers made of wool, silk, or polypropylene
hold more body heat.
• Stay as dry as you possibly can. This means avoiding activities that would
cause you to sweat a lot and being aware of snow entering mittens or
boots.
• Hyperthermia, on the other hand, typically occurs on humid, hot days
(temperature higher than 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) during periods of
physical exertion. This is because during these periods, the body is
more likely to lose a large amount of fluids and electrolytes. To
prevent hyperthermia, stay hydrated, replenish salts lost through
sweating, wear loose fitting clothing to keep dry, and use air-
conditioning or fans to keep cool. If you or someone you know
appears to be experiencing the following symptoms of hyperthermia,
listed from least to most severe, contact a health care provider
immediately or call 911:
• Heat cramps — muscles feel tense, pain in muscles of hands,
shoulders, or legs.
• Heat exhaustion — feeling lightheaded, sweating.
• Heatstroke — confusion, strange behavior, coma, possible seizures,
sweating, urinating very little or not at all.
 Work Outside Of Edge Barriers
• Safety boat required at all times. Safety Nets can provide good fall
protection for those carrying out occasional work outside edge
barriers though are not 100% fail proof. e.g. maintenance activities
• . An alternative is the use of a full body harness attached by lanyard
to a suitable anchorage point or proprietary fall prevention anchorage
system. Such equipment needs to be carefully selected by a
competent person to ensure it is suitable for the task, checked and
maintained to ensure it is kept in good order and the users instructed
and trained in its use.
• Emergency rescue arrangements also need to be in place.
These should include the provision of a safety boat as a safe means
of recovering persons being lowered down after being suspended
from a fall
 Work from Mobile Elevating Work Platforms
• Safety Boat Required. When working next to water, a harness should not
be worn due to the risk of drowning if the work platform falls into the
water. Life jackets should be worn.
• Workplace Tidiness - This is of special importance when working on or near
water. Tools, equipment, ropes and other materials not in use should be
stored away. Waste should be cleared up promptly, and materials stacked
or positioned with care.
• Slippery surfaces increase the risk of people falling into water and must be
properly treated to ensure good grip. Water weed, slime, bird droppings
etc. should be cleaned off. Oily or greasy surfaces should have absorbent
granules or grit spread on them, and icy or frosty surfaces should be
treated with salt or grit.
• Weather Conditions - The prevailing conditions and local weather forecast
should be taken into account at the beginning of each shift. Rain, rising
winds, fog, mist, etc. are all potential dangers.
 Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Where the work presents a risk of people being struck on the head
then safety helmets must be worn. Such an injury prior to falling into
water is a significant risk.
• Footwear with good, non-slip soles should be worn when working on
or near water.
• Rubber boots should not be worn as, once filled, they act as a weight
and could drag the wearer under water.
• Life Jacket-This is a personal safety device which, when fully inflated
(if inflatable), will provide sufficient buoyancy to turn and support
even an unconscious person face upwards.
• These must be worn at all times whilst working on boats and where
there is a foreseeable risk of drowning when working near to water.
• Those using life jackets need to be trained and instructed in their
proper use and storage, and the equipment regularly inspected and
maintained.
• Lifejackets/buoyancy aids should be provided to and worn by workers
with risk of falling into water.
• Lifejackets/buoyancy aids should conform to BS EN ISO 12402-1, 2, 3
or 4, or other equivalent international standards according to working
conditions.
• Lifejackets should be thoroughly checked by user before use
• The lifejacket/buoyancy aid should preferably be provided with a
whistle and/or a self-activating light (for night work) in order to aid
locating the wearer and facilitating rescue. ▲ The
lifejackets/buoyancy aids should be inspected and checked
periodically by a competent person
• The lifejackets/buoyancy aids should be properly maintained in a
good serviceable condition according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. All inflatable lifejackets should be serviced at regular
interval
• A lifebuoy with sufficient lifeline (not less than 30 metres) should be
provided and the locations of the lifebuoys should be at less than 50-
metre intervals along the edges of places where work is being carried
out over side or in an exposed position on vessels where there is a
reasonably foreseeable risk of falling or being washed overboard.
• To avoid any delays to rescue operations, life buoy should not be tied
tightly to posts.
 Working at Height
• Suitable guard-rails and toe-boards should be installed at edges.
Openings should be properly covered where persons are liable to fall
from height, to land surfaces or into water. ▲ Suitable working
platforms, with suitable guard-rails and toe boards, should be
provided for work at height. Safe means of access and egress should
be provided for the working platform.
• Safety harnesses with continuous and effective anchorage system
should be provided when it is impracticable to provide a suitable
working platform, access and egress, safe place of work
 Rescue Procedure
• It is important that:
Lone working is avoided to ensure there is always someone to raise
the alarm.
Each person is trained in what to do in the event of an emergency.
An emergency rescue plan is in place for the work activity. The
elements of a rescue procedure consists of:
• A routine for raising the alarm.
• A drill to provide the rescue boat facilities.
• A routine for getting the rescued person(s) appropriate medical
assistance. ie all rescue boat skippers to hold HSE first aid at work.
Rescue procedures need to be practised at regular intervals involving
all persons who would be required to participate in a rescue.
• Approved lifebuoys or rescue lines should be positioned at intervals
along the work area. Daily checks must be made to ensure that
lifebuoys and lines are in their proper place.
• ▲ Rescue/evacuation teams (including first aiders) of suitable
capacity should be organised to deal with emergency situations.
• ▲ The occurrence of an emergency situation should be informed
immediately to the rescue team for immediate launching of
appropriate rescue procedures.
• ▲ Serious emergency situations should be reported immediately to
the public emergency authorities, i.e. Fire Services Department
and/or Police, for assistance.
• ▲ Sufficient rescue/evacuation boat(s) should be provided and kept
ready for immediate use in case of emergency
• Rescue facilities, including sufficient stretcher(s), portable
resuscitation equipment and first aid facilities, should be provided
and kept readily accessible for emergency use.

• Emergency procedures, including rescue/evacuation procedures,

should be formulated and reviewed regularly in the safety plan for,
but not limited to, adverse weather (typhoon, thunderstorm, heavy
rainstorm, etc.), fire, injuries of workers, etc. An emergency contact
list (internal and external must be displayed on the board)
• An effective communication system should be established between
front-line workers and supervisory staff in case of emergencies,
including:
• Provision of sufficient communication equipment;
• Formulation of relevant procedures, provision of necessary
information to supervisors and / workers concerned
• Necessary information on adverse weather should be made available
(including any specific data/forecast to be prescribed with due regard
to the peculiar site location/situation) or other reliable sources and
timely/effectively communicated to personnel/workers likely affected
by the weather.

• Shelters, vessels for evacuation from adverse weather, etc, should be

provided in the vicinity of workplaces over/near water

• Evacuation procedures should be timely launched with due regard to

impending adverse weather.
 SAFETY TRAINING
• Workers should undergo Mandatory Basic Safety Training for land-
based construction work and/or Shipboard Cargo Handling Basic
Training for marine construction work at sea.
• Job specific safety training and regular refresher training should be
provided to workers to enhance/maintain their safety awareness of
potential hazards associated with work over water/near water/on
vessels, including those during inclement weather.
• Specific safety training should be provided to workers on the use and
checking procedures of lifejackets, and rescue arrangements for
persons who fell into water
• Supervisors/workers should be trained on emergency and evacuation
procedures, including the conduct of regular drills, in respect of work
over water/near water/on vessels.
• Specific safety training should be provided to all members of the
rescue/emergency team in connection with rescue procedures and
the use of rescue equipment.
• Essential safety information and contingency arrangements should
be provided (such as by issuing portable safety cards) to workers
engaged in work over water/near water/on vessel