OSHA Deck Barge Safety

OSHA Deck Barge Safety

This document presents guidance on preventing injuries and illnesses from workplace hazards on deck barges.

This guidance is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The OSH Act requires employers to comply with hazardspecific safety and health standards. Under the OSH Act, it is the employer’s obligation to address hazards governed by 29 CFR Parts 1915 and 1926. Many of these requirements are referenced in this guidance, and employers must comply with them. In addition, pursuant to Section 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act, employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Employers can be cited for violating the General Duty Clause if there is a recognized hazard and they do not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate the hazard. However, failure to implement the recommendations in this guidance is not, in itself, a violation of the General Duty Clause. Citations can only be based on standards, regulations, and the General Duty Clause.

Contents

Introduction . . . 5

Slips,Trips and Falls . . . 8

Minimizing Hazards on Deck . . . 8

Precautions in Walking . . . 9

Wearing Appropriate Footgear . . . 9

Preventing Elevated Falls . . . 9

For More Information About Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls . . . 11

Falling Overboard . . . 11

Personal Flotation Devices . . . 11

Regular Maintenance and Inspection . . . 13

Safety Precautions . . . 13

Job Hazard Analysis to Prevent Overboard Incidents . . . 13

Man Overboard Rescue Procedures . . . 13

For More Information About Preventing Overboard Incidents . . . 14

Machinery and Equipment Hazards . . . 14

Hoists, Cranes and Derricks . . . 15

Winches . . . 16

For More Information About Machinery and Equipment Safety . . . 17

Hazards Associated with Confined/ Enclosed Spaces . . . 18

For More Information About Atmospheric Hazards and Confined Spaces . . . 20

Fire Hazards . . . 21

For More Information About Fire Hazards . . . 24

Training . . . 24

For More Information About Training . . . 26

References . . . 26

OSHA Assistance . . . 26

OSHA Regional Offices . . . 32

There are no reviews yet