TRAINING MODULE

WORKING OVER WATER

Common Hazards Energy Sources Safe Working
WORKING OVER WATER - INTRODUCTION

WORKING OVER WATER

This Training Module comes to you courtesy of:

Site Safe would like to acknowledge Fletcher Constructions on-going support

WORKING OVER WATER - INTRODUCTION

TRAINING
SUBJECT: WORKING OVER WATER
PURPOSE: To provide all employees at all levels, with a good basic understanding of the

hazards involved in working in any marine environment, be it over, or alongside, water. NUMBERS: Up to 20 persons, dividing them into groups of four to six as may be required. METHOD: First - A brief introductory session on the main hazards of working over water. Second - A brief question session on likely causes of injury due to poor work planning and operation. Third - Participants will discuss the several rules which apply in the explanatory notes, and discover why - in commonsense terms - those rules exist. Fourth - A brief evaluation will conclude the session to indicate how well the participant has absorbed the points discussed. This will comprise a simple multiple-choice questionnaire which will be identified and passed to the Trainer for marking. MATERIALS: Hand-outs. OHPs of good work practices. Whiteboard Pens and paper for participants Copies of assessment DURATION: One hour maximum. DEVELOPMENT: If possible, have examples of safety equipment available to demonstrate their use and effectiveness. NOTES: This session is not designed to be any more than a basic introduction. It is recommended than Trainers ascertain who in the group are competent swimmers, and who have water rescue skills. These skills should be added to the personnel files.

WORKING OVER WATER - TRAINING NOTES

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WORKING OVER WATER

Marine work of any description presents some unusual hazards, and some traps for the unwary. Water is a dynamic entity - it is always changing, and in doing so changes its surrounding terrain. This module examines some common hazards in a water environment, and offers ways of minimising or isolating, if not eliminating, those hazards.

WORKING OVER WATER - INTRODUCTION

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WORKING OVER WATER ... 1

"What are the hazards in working over water?"
There are a number of ways in which water becomes a potential hazard in construction. Work such as: Bridge building Marine works (wharfs and the like) Machinery or pipework installations over water Dams, dykes, retaining walls and the like "Water" does not have to be just sea-water, either. It can include any work on, over, or adjacent to: Rivers or streams Lakes or lagoons Water storage areas Sewage processing plants and pipelines Sediment ponds

In any location where the possibility exists of a fall into water, a number of additional precautions need to be taken. These also include any transportation to a site involving the use of boats, rafts, barges, or similar. The one major hazard involved in any of these examples, is the possibility of a fall into the water, and drowning. Hazards also exist in the use of machinery on barges and the like, where stability becomes a major issue. Working on any site will usually involve wearing a tool belt and often heavy clothing, all of which will weigh a person down and make getting back to the surface very difficult. Work on foulwater systems or locations (sewage plants, outlets, and the like) also presents health hazards which must be recognised. For these reasons, the safety precautions detailed in this Module must be followed, regardless of how inconvenient you may think they may be.

There can be no short-cuts involved in safety.

Note: The same precautions can apply to any work involving fine materials such as sand or grain, into which people could possibly fall and be buried. This can have the same disastrous result as drowning. WORKING OVER WATER - HAZARDS PAGE 3

WORKING OVER WATER ... 2

"What precautions can be taken when working over water?"
Barricades. Any areas where falling into the water is identified as a hazard, need to have barricades installed. These are NOT removed UNLESS necessary for work to be carried out, and in such cases safety harnesses need to be worn. Boards, have detailed tide tables.

Lifelines. Especially at rivers and strong tidal areas, lifelines can be grasped by anyone falling into the water, should be provided. These would be installed across the direction of water flow.

Life jackets or buoyancy aids. If there is a significant risk of people falling into water, life preservers may be the best way of minimising the hazards. Although bulky, they will at least keep the victim's head above water until assistance can be provided.
TA NI C

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Rescue equipment. Life-rings, grappling lines, and even small boats, can be used in the case of an accident. These should be immediately accessible, maintained in good order, and clearly identified. People responsible for their use need to be trained in how to use them. Emergency procedures need to be developed to effect a rescue, and persons trained. There should be at least two people on the site who are competent in rescue work, and rescue breathing. There should also be at least two people on the site who are good swimmers and who have been trained in water rescue. WORKING OVER WATER - HAZARDS PAGE 4

WORKING OVER WATER ... 3

"What other hazards are present when working over water?"
Tidal action. Several areas on the New Zealand coast have large tidal rises and falls. This can mean a carefully planned work sequence is needed to ensure that nobody gets trapped by a rising tide. Local newspapers, Regional Councils, or Harbour Boards, have detailed tide tables.

Rising river levels. Heavy rain in the catchment area of a river can lead to river levels rising suddenly, and the water flow speeding up dramatically. This can apply quite some distance from the rain area, and with little warning. (This can also affect falsework, scaffolding and temporary structures!)

Erosion. Especially at rivers and earth-bank canals, erosion can create hazards by undercutting and washing away the banks. What may have been a safe working area one day, could be hazardous after overnight rain.

Salt water and spray. Working alongside or over sea water can expose you (and your tools) to the effects of salt spray. This can have a serious effect on skin and clothing, metal tools, and especially electrical equipment (which is covered later). Skin care is essential, as is clean and dry clothing and footwear. Tools and metal items will need regular cleaning, and protection with a spray such as CRC, WD40 or similar. Salt can severely corrode and rust metals.

WORKING OVER WATER - HAZARDS

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WORKING OVER WATER ... 4

"What other hazards are present when working over water?"
Tidal surges and boat wakes can create trapping hazards when working on barges or working platforms alongside piles, wharves, fixed access ladders and the like. Energy sources. If the hazard is regarded as too great for using electricity, compressed air will be provided as the energy source for the job. If this is the case, do NOT attempt to use power tools at any time. The risks of electrocution are too high. Electrical services and tools. Any work where water and electricity have the potential to mix, required careful planning and operation. The power supply to the job will have been determined to provide the safest possible conditions, and you MUST use any protective systems provided. Failure to do so, could result in a nasty experience. Power leads. These MUST be kept well out of the way of any water, and plug joints kept to a minimum. Pay special attention to insulation, and wrap plug joints in polythene or a similar waterproofing medium. Power tools. Again, we repeat the warning that moisture and electricity do not mix. Because of high moisture levels in the air, you need to be very careful in protecting the tools, and liberal spraying with CRC, WD40 or similar will keep moisture out of vital componentry. Fix a cord to your power tool, tied back to something, to stop an electrical tool falling into the water if you drop it. And NEVER use a power tool near any breaking waves. Refer also to the Electricity modules: Basics Power Leads Power Tools Distribution Boards Lighting WORKING OVER WATER - HAZARDS PAGE 6

WORKING OVER WATER ... 5

"What other hazards are present when working over water?"
Falls. It may be tempting to think that, because you are working over water, the worst that can happen if you fall is that you'll get wet. WRONG. If you should hit the water the wrong way, you could do serious damage, and the higher you are working, the greater the hazard.

The water could be shallow - remember tidal rises and falls - or there could be snags, rocks or the like just under the surface. A fall here would be no better than falling on to solid ground - often worse.

You could hit the water on your back or front, and knock yourself out. Water does not compress, unlike your body. If you are stunned - or worse - you could drown.

Your clothing can absorb a large amount of water, and triple its weight. This makes it very difficult to get to the surface. Gumboots make it worse. Even a life preserver is no guarantee that you'll get back to the surface.

You must be aware that working over water can make footing slippery and hazardous. Be prepared for these conditions, and ensure that you are using the necessary safety equipment at all times.

Also refer to the Module "Working At Height". WORKING OVER WATER - HAZARDS PAGE 7

WORKING OVER WATER ... 6

"What other hazards are present when working over water?"

In some cases, the job may entail working from a barge, or floating platform. In these conditions, you MUST be aware of the hazards created with water swell.

You go down ...

You go up ...

A barge (unless it is a jack-up type) makes an unstable base, especially when operating machinery. Be careful of loading, and watch weight distribution.
This is fine on dry land, but.....

On water, it's a different situation!

Work over stagnant water, sewage ponds, or in fact any contaminated water, presents special hazards. Should it be necessary, you will be inoculated against the several diseases which can be prevalent in these conditions, before starting on the job. ANY injury where the skin is broken, no matter how slight, MUST be treated with disinfectant immediately. Water quality - even in rivers cannot be guaranteed.

Hep A Tetanus Hep B

Also refer to the Module "Health & Hygiene". WORKING OVER WATER - HAZARDS PAGE 8

HOW WELL DID YOU DO?

This quick test has been designed to show you how well you have remembered the points covered in this session. Tick the answer which you believe is the correct one for each question.

1. What is the one major hazard with working over water? Getting seasick looking at the water. The risk of drowning. Getting your little tootsies wet. 2. How is a lifeline to be rigged on a river? Across the direction of water flow. Along the direction of water flow. Dangling free in the water. 3. What additional safety equipment may be used when working over water? Life preservers, rings, nets, or grappling ropes. Snazzy togs. Have the Coast Guard on permanent watch. 4. What effect can tides have on work? A rising tide could trap someone. You may have to wear higher gumboots. They spoil the good fishing spots. 5. What needs to be checked on a river bank following heavy rain? Check for erosion under the bank. See if your fishing nets are still in place. Check for any good firewood washed downstream. 6. What protection is necessary for power tools in damp conditions? Put them in an oven after use to dry them. Wrap them in greaseproof paper. Use a spray to remove moisture and protect from corrosion. 7. What must be checked on power leads near water? Insulation is sound and plugs are waterproofed. Plugs are tied together with heavy rope. Make sure the plug pins have been greased. 8. Why use a cord to prevent power tools falling into the water? A power drill makes lousy fish bait. You could cause a major electrical problem. You dont. If you lose something, so what? WORKING OVER WATER - ASSESSMENT PAGE 9

9. What hazards can be present under the water surface? Snags, rocks or a shallow water depth. Submarines on spying missions. Man-eating whitebait. 10. What could happen if you hit the water the wrong way? You could be stunned - or worse. Youll make a heck of a splash but thats all. Youll lose points. 11. What effect does water have on clothing, should you fall in? It makes your clothing colours run. It saves you having to wash them. It can treble the weight of your clothing and make floating difficult. 12. What hazard does water present to your footwear? It can make walking surfaces slippery. It can wash off the boot polish. It gets in through all the holes and rots the insoles. Now check your answers with the correct answers which are on the next sheet.

Name:

............................................................... ...............................................................

Current job:

Score:

..................

WORKING OVER WATER - ASSESSMENT

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.

Now lets find out how you did. Question: Correct Answer 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. The risk of drowning. Across the direction of water flow. Life preservers, rings, nets, or grappling ropes. A rising tide could trap someone. Check for erosion under the bank. Use a spray to remove moisture and protect from corrosion. Insulation is sound and plugs are waterproofed. You could cause a major electrical problem. Snags, rocks or a shallow water depth. You could be stunned - or worse. It can treble the weight of your clothing and make floating difficult. It can make walking surfaces slippery.

If you gotall answers correct, youre not just a clever cookie - youre also a safe operator. Well done! If you got10 correct, you havedone pretty well, but need to pay attention to those areas where your answer was not correct. Its your life were trying to protect here! If you gotfive right, you havent been trying. Come on - can do better, and will you need to if you want to keep safe.

WORKING OVER WATER - ASSESSMENT ANSWERS

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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF

WORKING OVER WATER

1. Watch your footing - moisture makes surfaces slippery. 2. Barricades are as vital as on heights. 3. Use the specialised safety equipment provided. 4. Plan work around tides. 5. Watch for undercutting of banks. 6. Select your energy source with great care. 7. Protect your gear from dampness. 8. Special care is required with power tools. 9. Any depth of water can be hazardous. 10. IF IN DOUBT - ASK.

THE TEN POINTS ARE:

WATCH YOUR FOOTING BARRICADES SAFETY EQUIPMENT WATCH TIDES UNDERCUT BANKS ENERGY SOURCES PROTECT GEAR POWER TOOLS = HAZARD! ANY DEPTH DANGEROUS IF IN DOUBT - ASK.

WORKING OVER WATER - 10 COMMANDMENTS

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