Deep water

[devon TWiG]

Is there any recognised rules / regs which apply to working near deep water ( the sea !) which can be used or apply in a risk assessment ? I have done such jobs in the past with no bother or questions .... but I think the customer in this case will require a detailed and extensive RA ..

[htb]

I know someone working beside 12" deep waterway (not flowing or tidal) and they needed a rescue boat and diver on site, but thats BNF for you

[slack ma girdle]

Common sense and don't fall in.

Control measures should include means of preventing work group from coming into contact with deep water i.e. working from rope near edges, barrier preventing falling in etc.

 

I have in my generic risk assessment two ridiculous and farcical sections, and in ten years nobody has ever picked up on them. So does anybody ever read them properly ?

[devon TWiG]

I know someone working beside 12" deep waterway (not flowing or tidal) and they needed a rescue boat and diver on site, but thats BNF for you

 

I have known of a similar situation ,and in commercial diving situations there must also be a second diver and a dive master on the vessel !!

[devon TWiG]

Common sense and don't fall in.

 

Unfortunately common sense and RA 's do not mix too well .... and in all probabilities I will be going in the water intentionally ... it seems the best / only way of doing the job ......... I might well "arrange " the job so it is done at the weekend using tides as an excuse !

[Johnpl315]

I don't think there is any specific legislation relating to working near deep water? I would of said have a throw line on site and wear a bouyancy aid. If chainsawing steer clear of life jacket as if the string caught on a twig it could go off unexpectedly it would be dangerous.

Can't think why you would need a diver on site?!

I worked as a sailing instructor for 5 years, I have worked as safety cover for triathlons and long distance swimming events but never yet heard of a need to have a diver in the safety crew

[richy_B]

There are Rospa course relating to this. Working on banks, working on inland waterways, working on coastal waterways. You name it, they got it.

[richy_B]

Perhaps just reference your PPE a lot. Drysuit instead of waders to avoid filling up and drowning. Safety line attached to you life jacket, held by competant person on the bank and tether to fixed point, etc, etc.

[hiluxstihl]

you dont use a harness and life jacket in a mewp if applicable, leave off the harness in case it goes for a swim

[richy_B]

I wonder if someone like the Royal Yachting Assocation (RYA) might have something you could borrow some text from. I did a course to do with small boats a few years back and there was a RA element to it covering submerged items, jelly fish, what maritime warning signs meant, etc.