Deck Barge Safety

OSHA 3358-01N 2009
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and

healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA’s

role is to assure the safety and health of America’s

working men and women by setting and enforcing

standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging

continual improvement in workplace safety and

health.

This informational booklet provides a general

overview of a particular topic related to OSHA

standards. It does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities in OSHA standards or the

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

Because interpretations and enforcement policy

may change over time, you should consult current

OSHA administrative interpretations and decisions

by the Occupational Safety and Health Review

Commission and the courts for additional guidance

on OSHA compliance requirements.

This publication is in the public domain and may be

reproduced, fully or partially, without permission.

Source credit is requested but not required.

This information is available to sensory impaired

individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-

1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.
U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3358 01N

2009

Deck Barge Safety
2

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
3

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
4

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.
Introduction

This document presents guidance on preventing injuries and

illnesses from workplace hazards on deck barges.1 Approximately

4,000 deck barges operate in the United States, using different

types of winches and other equipment in a variety of operations.2

Employees on these vessels can face serious hazards. Between

1997 and 2006, 305 employees were killed on barge/tow combinations, and 379 explosions or fires occurred on barges or towboats,

killing 14 employees.3 Some examples of these incidents are:

■ An employee was setting a steel pile upright in the water. The

steel pile was being held upright by a chain connecting it to the

barge. A large boat passed by the barge, creating a wake. The

barge moved and the steel pile fell, pivoting on the chain. The

steel pile struck the employee on the back of the head, killing

him.

■ An employee carrying a right angle grinder attempted to step

from one barge to another by using a barge rope. He lost his

balance and fell into the river between the two barges. He was

not wearing a life vest. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful and the

employee drowned.

■ An employee was standing on a barge with a coworker, waiting

for a personnel basket to land on the barge. He was holding a

small sheet of plywood. He stepped back, stumbled on a board,

and fell over the side of the barge into 12 feet of water. He was

not wearing a life vest. Rescue attempts by his coworkers with a

life ring failed and he drowned.

■ An employee on a pile-driving barge was directed to put up a

ladder and get survey equipment off a breasting dolphin. A short

time later, a coworker and the foreman heard splashes and

5

1

A deck barge is a manned or unmanned barge that has a continuous, flat main

deck. It is used to carry deck cargo and is also used in the marine construction

industry for such work as pier or bulkhead construction, dredging, bridge construction and maintenance, and marine oil service. These types of vessels are not

self-propelled.

2

American Waterway Operators cited in National Transportation Safety Board, Fire

Aboard Construction Barge Athena 106, West Cote Blanche Bay. Louisiana,

October 12, 2006. http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2007/MAR0701.pdf.

3

Coast Guard data cited in National Transportation Safety Board, Fire Aboard

Construction Barge Athena 106, West Cote Blanche Bay. Louisiana, October 12,

2006. http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2007/MAR0701.pdf.
another employee saw the first employee go under the rake of

the barge, where he became trapped. He then surfaced and was

carried by the current into some pilings. He was rescued by two

coworkers in a john boat and taken to the local emergency

room, where he later died.

■ Three employees entered a tank on a barge. The tank did not

contain sufficient oxygen. One employee died and the other two

required hospitalization.

■ Two riggers were capping a sulfur well in a shallow bay, working

from the deck of a barge equipped with a crane with a clamshell

bucket. The employees dug around the well casing and then set

a caisson around the wellhead. Standard procedures required

them to cut off the casing and then weld a circular plate over the

end. The first employee went into the caisson to wrap a sling

around the pipe end, and was asphyxiated due to hydrogen

sulfide gas. The second employee entered the caisson to rescue

him, and was also overcome by the gas. Neither was wearing

respiratory protection (i.e., airline or Self-Contained Breathing

Apparatus). Both employees died.

■ A deckhand was working on a spud barge helping a coworker

raise the spud legs using a winch system. A 42-inch pin was to

be inserted into the spud leg to prevent it from falling if the

winch brake released. The spud leg was raised just high enough

for the employee to insert about 4 inches of the pin into the

hole, when the winch brake failed. The pin came up and the

employee was pinned between the pin and spud leg, sustaining

fatal crushing injuries to his chest.

■ A towing vessel was pushing two deck barges to a pile-driving

location off the Louisiana coast. While the vessels were underway,

a spud on one of the barges suddenly dropped into the water

from its raised position. The spud struck and ruptured a buried

high-pressure natural gas pipeline. The gas ignited and created a

fireball that engulfed the towing vessel and both barges. The

master of the towing vessel and four barge employees were

killed, and one barge employee was listed as missing.

Many such injuries and deaths could be prevented with proper

controls, procedures, training, and awareness of hazards and

possible solutions. On the following pages the major physical

hazards of concern are highlighted and steps to address them are

outlined, along with resources for additional information.

6
Regulation of Workplace Safety on Deck Barges

For construction barges underway and other “uninspected

vessels,” the U.S. Coast Guard oversees fire and lifesaving

equipment and overall navigational matters. Its regulations for

uninspected vessels are found in the Code of Federal Regulations,

46 CFR Part 25:

• Life Preservers and Other Lifesaving Equipment [46 CFR 25.25]

• Fire Extinguishing Equipment [46 CFR 25.30]

• Backfire Flame Control [46 CFR 25.35]

• Ventilation [46 CFR 25.40]

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA) exercises its authority to regulate employers for all

working conditions not covered by U.S. Coast Guard regulations

on these vessels, provided that the vessel is in the geographic

jurisdiction of OSHA.

OSHA regulations that apply are in 29 CFR Part 1910, with the

following exceptions:

• For ship repair, shipbuilding, and shipbreaking, 29 CFR Part

1915 standards apply.

• For longshoring and cargo handling operations, 29 CFR Parts

1918 and 1919 standards apply.

• For marine construction activities, 29 CFR Part 1926 standards

apply.

OSHA standards can be found at www.osha.gov.

For a detailed explanation of OSHA jurisdiction, see OSHA

Instruction CPL 2-1.20 November 8, 1996, OSHA/U.S. Coast Guard

Authority Over Vessels. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/

owadisp.show_document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=1526.

Note: CPL 2-1.20 is to be replaced with a new instruction,

entitled: OSHA Authority Over Vessels and Facilities on U.S.

Navigable Waters and the Outer Continental Shelf; effective date

TBD.

7
Slips,Trips and Falls

Slips, trips and falls are major causes of workplace injuries in the

maritime industry and can lead to overboard incidents.

■ A slip occurs when the foot skids, usually on a wet or slippery

surface (e.g., ice) and the person falls backward or forward.

■ A trip occurs when an obstacle stops the foot and the person

falls forward.

■ Same-level falls can be the result of an unrecoverable slip or

trip. Another type of same-level fall is a step and fall, when the

front foot lands on a surface that is lower than expected. In this

type of fall, the person usually falls forward.

■ Elevated falls include falls from stairs, equipment, ladders, and

falls through holes in decks, and uncovered or unguarded

hatches.

Many factors can contribute to slips, trips, and falls on a barge.

Some of these are gear and equipment on the deck, changing

walking speed or direction, slippery surfaces (oil, ice and snow),

fatigue, carrying heavy objects, visibility, and unsuitable footwear.

Minimizing Hazards on Deck4

■ Keep all walking and working surfaces clean, dry, and unobstructed.

■ Keep all areas free of debris.

8

4

Adapted from American Waterways Operators Interregion Safety Committee,

Lesson Plan for Slip,Trip and Fall Prevention, November 2002. http://www.

americanwaterways.com/commitment_safety/slpsplan.doc.
■ Clean up and/or report any spill immediately.

■ Stack materials in a stable manner.

■ Secure gear and equipment that is not in use.

■ Keep stairs, doorways, walkways, and gangways free of

equipment and stowed materials.

■ Secure ramps during loading and offloading operations.

■ Repair leaks from hoses, pipelines, and valves immediately.

■ Use non-skid protective deck compound and do not paint over

the non-skid compound with standard paint.

■ Have de-icing procedures in place when necessary.

■ Paint the perimeter and tripping hazards in a contrasting color.

Precautions in Walking

■ Walk at a normal rate, keeping your hands out of your pockets.

■ Slow down when moving between different surfaces.

■ Do not run.

■ Minimize short stops.

■ Avoid sharp turns.

■ Modify your way of walking to match the surface, such as an icy

deck.

■ Do not jump from one barge to another.

■ Do not climb on cargo, supplies, or equipment instead of using a

ladder.

■ Do not step on hatch covers.

■ Avoid walking along the unguarded edge of a barge.

■ Watch out for reduced visibility due to poor lighting and weather

conditions. If working at night, be sure there is adequate illumination (e.g., flashlight, headlight, light tower).

Wearing Appropriate Footgear

■ Wear safety shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles as

appropriate.

■ Keep shoes clean of mud, snow, ice, spilled liquids, and debris.

Preventing Elevated Falls

■ Always maintain three-points of contact on a ladder—two hands

9
and a foot, or two feet and a hand—so that only one limb is in

motion at any one time.

■ Avoid overextending the body when performing tasks such as

checking sounders, checking lights, and wiring rigging, which

can lead to falls from ladders.

■ Falls from portable ladders are one of the leading causes of

occupational fatalities and injuries. Use the following safe work

practices when using ladders:

• Use ladders only for their designed purpose (i.e., step ladders

should not be used as portable rung ladders).

• Position the ladder so that for every four feet in height, the

ladder extends out from the vertical surface at the base

approximately one foot.

• Make sure that the ladder is long enough for the job—if used

for access to an upper landing surface the side rails must

extend at least three feet above that surface.

• Make sure that there is proper footing to keep the ladder from

slipping or sliding.

• Tie the ladder to a secure object. Remember that the vessel(s)

that the ladder is secured to can move. Use the buddy

system, if possible, so that one person can hold the ladder to

stop it from moving.

• Never use portable metal ladders near energized electrical

equipment (such as conductors or electric arc welding

machines).

• Keep your body near the middle of the step and always face

the ladder while climbing.

• Do not move, shift, or extend ladders while in use. Move the

ladder instead of stretching or leaning to the side to reach

your work.

• Use hand lines or a tool bag/belt to keep hands free when

using a ladder.

• Fully enclosed slip-resistant footwear should always be worn

when using ladders.

■ An adequate guard rail should be installed or employees should wear

Personal Fall Arrest Systems when work is being performed above

a solid surface (e.g., to prevent falls from the barge to the dock).5

10

5

Effective January 1, 1998, body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall

arrest system. See 29 CFR 1926.502(d) and 29 CFR 1915.159.
• Use gangplanks with guardrails to prevent falls on the dock

or pilings.

• All deck holes, openings, and hatches should be covered or

guarded.

• Pigeon holes should not be used to access barge walking or

working surfaces.

For More Information About Preventing Slips,Trips and Falls

OSHA Safety and Health Topics: Fall Protection

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html.

OSHA Safety and Health Topics: Walking/Working Surfaces

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/walkingworkingsurfaces/solutions.html.

OSHA Shipyard Employment eTool: Working Conditions—

Housekeeping http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/shipyard/standard/

working_conditions/housekeeping.html.

OSHA Quick Card: Portable Ladder Safety Tips

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/portable_ladder_qc.html.

Falling Overboard

Personal Flotation Devices

If the deck of a barge or work platform is not equipped with an

OSHA-compliant railing system, employees walking or working on

deck must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or buoyant

work vest, also called a life preserver or personal flotation device

11
(PFD). These PFDs should be fully buckled, snapped, or zipped

whenever there is a hazard of falling into the water, regardless of

the size of the barge. While a PFD is not required to be worn while

an employee is inside an enclosed cab or equipment compartment

on a barge, each employee should have a PFD accessible to them at

all times. This safety precaution will allow employees the

opportunity to don a PFD in a reasonable amount of time during an

emergency (i.e., vessel sinking, fire, etc.).

U.S. Coast Guard Regulations for Uninspected Vessels

Life Preservers and Other Lifesaving Equipment [46 CFR 25.25]

a. An approved and readily available PFD is required to be on

board the vessel for each individual on board. An immersion/

exposure suit is considered to be an acceptable substitute for a

PFD. All lifesaving equipment designed to be worn is required

to be readily available and in serviceable condition.

b. Each vessel 26 feet or longer must have at least one approved

ring life buoy which is immediately available. All lifesaving

equipment designed to be thrown into the water is required to

be immediately available and in serviceable condition.

c. An approved commercial hybrid PFD is acceptable if: worn

when the vessel is underway and the intended wearer is not

within an enclosed space; labeled for use on uninspected

commercial vessels; and used as marked and in accordance

with the owner’s manual.

d. An approved light is required for all PFDs and immersion/

exposure suits. Also, all PFDs must have approved retroreflective material installed.

12
Regular Maintenance and Inspection

Barges should be inspected by employers on a regular basis and as

necessary, to prevent problems related to missing equipment,

hazardous working surface conditions, and mechanical failures that

could contribute to falls overboard. For example, inspections should

check for missing or damaged PFDs, missing lifelines, and burnedout lights.

Safety Precautions

There are several controls that may help prevent employees from

falling overboard. Examples include marking the edge of the deck

with contrasting paint or, if practical, installing guardrails or

handrails.

Job Hazard Analysis to Prevent Overboard Incidents

To reduce the risks of overboard incidents and drowning, employers

and employees can conduct a joint job hazard analysis to identify

conditions that may contribute to overboard incidents. Appropriate

control measures and training can be implemented to reduce the

hazards associated with falling overboard. For example, if the

separation between a barge and the dock or another vessel is more

than 12 inches, a gangway or ladder must be used. Additionally, it

is important to look for warning signs such as employee fatigue,

complacency, and lack of concentration, and resolve these issues

before an overboard incident occurs. Employers also may consider

hiring a professional safety engineer to evaluate hazards and

possible controls.

Man Overboard Rescue Procedures

It is critical to have clear procedures in place in case someone falls

overboard. Man-overboard procedures should incorporate the use

of stand-by boats, life rings with appropriate length of rope (90 feet

minimum), and ladders that extend three feet below and above the

water surface. In a case where an employee falls overboard, they

will need assistance to get back on board. This must be accomplished quickly, particularly if the water is frigid, the person is not

wearing a life jacket, is tangled in a line or caught in a current.

Crews should practice man overboard drills regularly. Additionally,

in regions such as Alaska, where employees are at a greater risk of

13
14

hypothermia, additional precautions (e.g., use of immersion suits)

should be considered when there is a chance of falling overboard.

For More Information About Preventing Overboard Incidents

The American Waterways Operators. Fall Overboard Prevention

Best Practices. March 2001. http://www.americanwaterways.com/

commitment_safety/BESTPRAC.doc.

Machinery and Equipment Hazards

Hazards related to the use of machinery and equipment can

result in injuries to hands, feet, or limbs that become caught in

moving machinery; head and other injuries from being struck by

falling objects or moving equipment; and burns. Other potential

hazards include getting pinned under a load; falling off

equipment; and electric shock.

To reduce hazards from machinery and equipment:

■ Inspect all equipment before use.

■ Maintain equipment properly. Shut down and lockout the

power source before repairing mechanical systems. Make

repairs according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

■ Ensure that the person using the equipment is trained in its

proper use and maintenance.

The

photograph

(right) shows

a spud

without its

securing pin

inserted. This

is an unsafe

position and

an example

of an

equipment

hazard.

The

photograph

(left) shows a

spud with its

securing pin

inserted. The

spud is in a

safe position

and limits

possible

injuries due

to equipment

hazards.
■ Install appropriate rails, temporary or permanent, to avoid

equipment being driven off the barge or dock.

■ Ensure retaining pins are properly installed and positively

secured with a keeper or locking device.

■ Emergency shut-offs must be easily accessible, and sufficient

guarding should be used for equipment controls.

Hoists, Cranes and Derricks6

Hazards of hoists include being struck by a heavy object, such as

the boom or the load being moved. To reduce these hazards:

■ Stay clear when a hoist is being used unless you are part of

the procedure and, in which case, never stand under a load or

boom with a suspended load.

■ Wear personal protective equipment, such as head, foot, eye,

and hand protection at all times.

■ Assess the hoisting systems for structural soundness by

inspecting regularly for problems with welds, rivets, chains,

pulleys, lines, blocks, hooks, etc.

■ Secure power blocks with a safety chain.

■ Ensure that cranes in use are secured to the barge.

■ Do not try to help lift a load being hoisted.

Photograph of a spud winch, which assists in the

raising and lowering of spuds on deck barges.

15

6

Adapted from Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council, Fish Safe: A Handbook for

Commercial Fishing and Agriculture, 2004.
Winches

Operating or working near winches may potentially expose

employees to hazards such as body parts caught in a winch

drum, being struck by a broken line or cable, and tripping over a

line or cable.

■ Use a device or tool, never your hand, to keep the winch line

spooling properly.

■ Enclose the winch drum in a cage if practical.

■ Stay off the deck unless you are part of the operation.

■ Never stand in, on, over, or in line with lines or cables

connected to winches when they are under tension. The

danger zone lies within 15 degrees of either side of a line

under tension.

■ Never step on or walk over the winch drum.

■ Inspect the winch system regularly for problems associated

with general or localized deterioration, cracked welds, and

other structural, mechanical, or electrical deficiencies.

■ Inspect lines and cable systems regularly, including blocks,

hooks, and associated components, for signs of damage or

deterioration.

■ A guard should be installed between the winch operator and

the connected cables to protect the operator from potential

whiplash.

■ Never stand in the bight of a line.

16
For More Information About Machinery and Equipment Safety

OSHA Shipyard Employment eTool: Gear and Equipment for

Rigging and Materials Handling. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/

etools/shipyard/standard/material_handling/index_mh.html.

OSHA Publication, Mobile Crane Inspection Guidelines for OSHA

Compliance Officers, June 1994. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/

cranehoistsafety/mobilecrane/mobilecrane.html

17
18

Hazards Associated with

Confined/Enclosed Spaces

Photograph of proper signage used to indicate the designation

of an enclosed or confined space.

The Confined or enclosed spaces on barges may have an

atmosphere that is unsafe, causing injury or death. The main

hazards include: oxygen deficiency, explosive or flammable

atmospheres, and atmospheres containing toxic compounds.

These hazards might be found in watertight compartments or other

areas with little or no ventilation.

An oxygen-deficient atmosphere inside a tank can be caused by

many factors. One example is rusting that may occur in a steel tank

where water or water vapor is present. If the tank is airtight, as they

are designed to be, then the rusting process would remove oxygen

from the tank atmosphere until there is not enough oxygen in the

space to support human life. Another example is displacement of

oxygen by another gas or vapor, which may occur when a tank is

sealed after it is freshly painted. The paint coating may not have

time to cure, resulting in the paint vapor displacing oxygen.

An explosive or flammable atmosphere can develop from many

sources. Some examples of these sources may include:

■ If you are leasing a barge, a previous user may have dumped

waste into the space or used it as a slop tank.

■ A spill of diesel fuel or gasoline on deck may have entered the

tank, resulting in an explosive atmosphere.
19

■ The paint or coating system applied to the tank could ignite if

not locally removed prior to hotwork.

Before beginning work in, near or around a confined space or

compartment, a visual inspection must first be performed in order

to identify potential physical, atmospheric and fire hazards.

Second, the atmosphere must be tested, using a combustible gas

meter, not only prior to entry into the space but also if you plan on

doing hotwork on a tank exterior. Conducting hotwork on the

exterior of a tank can be just as dangerous as when done internally

if an explosive atmosphere or a flammable coating is present,

which could result in a fire or explosion.

Toxic atmospheres are generally the most difficult to identify and

can only be determined through testing, which should only be

conducted by a qualified person (i.e., marine chemist, competent

person, etc.). The potential for a toxic atmosphere is always

present and can come from several sources including:

■ A space that is painted and sealed up before the paint has time

to cure, causing the off-gassing of the fresh paint to release toxic

levels of paint and solvent vapors into the secured space.

■ A tank cover inadvertently left open that allows nearby engine

exhaust to raise the amount of carbon monoxide in the tank to

dangerous levels.

■ Contents from a chemical spill (deck above) entering the space.

■ Multiple waste or slop dumped into a space that creates a toxic

compound.

Based on the hazards discussed above, entry into any

confined/enclosed space or any space with limited ventilation space

on a deck barge should be done with caution.
Photograph shows an employee entering a confined space.

For More Information About Atmospheric Hazards and Confined

Spaces

OSHA Safety and Health Topics: Confined Spaces

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/confinedspaces/index.html.

Shipyard Employment e-Tool: Ship Repair

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/shipyard/shiprepair/sr_index.html.

20
Fire Hazards

A Steps that can be taken to prevent fires on board a barge

include the following:7

■ Store engine fuel tanks and compressed gas tanks properly,

away from sources of ignition. Only keep onboard quantities

of flammable and combustible materials that are necessary for

operations and maintenance. Post appropriate danger signs.

■ When dealing with work that is capable of providing a source

of ignition through a flame or spark (hotwork), such as

welding, cutting, burning, drilling, grinding, etc., follow these

precautions:

• Ensure the space is properly tested by a qualified or

shipyard-competent person and deemed safe before work

is begun. (See 29 CFR 1915.7 and 1915.15.)

29 CFR 1915.7 – http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.

show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10215

29 CFR 1915.15 – http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/

owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=

10221

21

7

Adapted from Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council, Fish Safe: A Handbook for

Commercial Fishing and Aquaculture, 2004. http://www.gov.ns.ca/lwd/healthandsafety/ docs/FishSafe.pdf and The American Waterways Operators Interregion

Safety Committee, Lesson Plan for American Waterways Operators/National Fire

Protection Association/National Safety Council Hot Work Safety Brochure, March

2002. http://www.americanwater ways.com/commitment_safety/HOTWORK.doc.
• Make sure that proper fire extinguishing equipment is near

the work area and that it is maintained in a state of

readiness for emergency use.

• Do not leave oxygen or acetylene hoses unattended.

• Consider where sparks will fall when doing hotwork and

employ a fire watch.

• Shield fuel sources to protect them from ignition sources.

• Cover openings to prevent sparks from entering.

• Stop any hotwork if you smell fuel or gas until the source

has been identified and the problem fixed.

• When welding or burning on the deck of a barge, the space

below should be inspected to ensure that no flammable

atmosphere or combustible materials are present.

• Use good housekeeping practices to limit the amount of

clutter, debris and combustible/ flammable material.

Follow these safety measures to help prevent electrical fires:

• Make sure that electrical systems are installed by a

qualified marine electrician and that electrical systems are

inspected regularly.

• Regularly conduct visual inspections of connections,

switches and wiring, which may be subject to corrosion

from saltwater and damage from use.

Photos showing damaged wiring that could cause an electrical fire if used.

22
U.S. Coast Guard Regulations for Uninspected Vessels

Fire Extinguishing Equipment [46 CFR 25.30]

a. Hand-portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems must be of the "B" type (i.e., suitable for

extinguishing fires involving flammable liquids, greases, etc.).

b. Hand-portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire extinguishing systems must have a metal name plate listing the

name of the item, rated capacity (gallons, quarts or pounds),

name and address of person/firm for whom approved, and the

manufacturer’s identifying mark.

c. Portable fire extinguishers must be inspected and weighed

every six months.

d. Minimum number of B-II hand-portable fire extinguishers

required to be on board motor vessels: one if less than 50

tons, two if 50-100 tons, three if 100-500 tons, six if 500-1,000

tons, and eight if over 1,000 tons.

e. Fixed fire extinguishing systems must be an approved carbon

dioxide type and must meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements.

(See OSHA Directive CPL 02-01-020, November 1996.)

Backfire Flame Control [46 CFR 25.35]

Every gasoline engine installed after April 25, 1940, except

outboard motors, shall be equipped with an acceptable means of

backfire flame control.

Ventilation [46 CFR 25.40]

Fuel tanks and engine spaces, using fuel with a flashpoint of 110

degrees Fahrenheit or less, must be provided with adequate

ventilation to remove explosive or flammable gases from the fuel

tank compartment and bilges.

23
For More Information About Fire Hazards

OSHA Shipyard Employment eTool: Fire Protection

http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/products/etools/shipyard/fire_protection/

index.html.

Training

Many OSHA standards require employers to train employees in

the safety and health aspects of their jobs. Other OSHA standards

make it the employer’s responsibility to limit certain job

assignments to employees who are certified, competent, or

qualified —that is, to employees who have received training

either on-site or off-site. Designated personnel are selected or

assigned by the employer or the employer’s representative as

being qualified to perform specific duties. Training is an essential

part of every employer’s safety and health program for protecting

employees from injuries and illnesses.

To control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to

illness or injury, employees must be trained in the recognition

and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations

applicable to their work environment. Some of the topics to be

addressed in training for employees on deck barges are:

■ Employee Emergency Plans

■ Medical Services and First Aid

24
■ Explosive and Other Dangerous Atmospheres

■ Fire Protection and Prevention

■ Handling and Storage of Materials

■ Machinery and Machine Guarding

■ Toxic and Hazardous Substances

■ Storage of Gases and Fuels

■ Gear and Equipment for Rigging and Material Handling

■ Tools and Related Equipment

■ Stairways and Ladders

■ Fall Protection

■ Work on or in the Vicinity of Radar and Radio

■ Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices

■ The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)

■ Personal Protective Equipment

■ Procedures for Securing Barges to Tugs

■ Noise and Hearing Conservation

The training should address the specific hazards faced by

employees on barges such as:

■ Employee training should include ways to prevent overboard

incidents. This includes use of personal flotation devices, as

well as awareness of the risks of carelessness/distractions

while working on deck or overextending oneself.

■ Training on employee emergency plans must include man

overboard rescue procedures and drills.

■ Training for spud winch operators must include the use of

spud securing pins before a barge is moved to a different

worksite.8

One way to determine the content of training activities is to

conduct a Job Hazard Analysis (Job Safety Analysis). This is a

procedure for studying and recording each step of a job,

identifying existing or potential hazards, and determining the

best way to perform the job in order to reduce or eliminate the

hazards. Information obtained from a Job Hazard Analysis can be

used as the content for the training activities.

25

8

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Spud

Barge Safety Fact Sheet.
For More Information About Training

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health

Administration. Job Hazard Analysis. OSHA Publication 3071,

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3071.pdf Revised 2002.

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health

Administration, Training Requirements in OSHA Standards and

Training Guidelines - OSHA Publication No. 2254,

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/2254.html.

References

The American Waterways Operators. SafetyTools/Documents

Library. http://www.americanwaterways.com/ commitment_

safety/index.html.

Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council. Fish Safe: A Handbook for

Commercial Fishing and Aquaculture, 2004. http://www.gov.ns.ca/

lwd/healthandsafety/docs/FishSafe.pdf.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA Assistance

for the Maritime Industry. http://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/

index.html.

OSHA Assistance

OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs,

including technical assistance about effective safety and health

programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary protection

programs, strategic partnerships, training and education, and more.

An overall commitment to workplace safety and health can add

value to your business, to your workplace, and to your life.

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

Effective management of employee safety and health protection is a

decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work-related

injuries and illnesses and their related costs. In fact, an effective

26
safety and health program forms the basis of good employee

protection, can save time and money, increase productivity and

reduce employee injuries, illnesses, and related workers’ compensation costs.

To assist employers and employees in developing effective

safety and health programs, OSHA published recommended Safety

and Health Program Management Guidelines (54 Federal Register

(16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntary guidelines can

be applied to all places of employment covered by OSHA.

The guidelines identify four general elements critical to the

development of a successful safety and health management

system:

■ Management leadership and employee involvement,

■ Worksite analysis,

■ Hazard prevention and control, and

■ Safety and health training.

The guidelines recommend specific actions, under each of

these general elements, to achieve an effective safety and health

program. The Federal Register notice is available online at

www.osha.gov.

State Programs

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act)

encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and

health plans. OSHA approves and monitors these plans. Twentyfour states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands currently operate

approved state plans: 22 cover both private and public (state and

local government) employment; Connecticut, New Jersey, New

York, and the Virgin Islands cover the public sector only. States and

territories with their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and

health plans must adopt standards identical to, or at least as

effective as, the Federal OSHA standards.

Consultation Services

Consultation assistance is available on request to employers who

want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful

workplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided at

no cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller

27
employers with more hazardous operations, the consultation

service is delivered by state governments employing professional

safety and health consultants. Comprehensive assistance

includes an appraisal of all mechanical systems, work practices,

and occupational safety and health hazards of the workplace and

all aspects of the employer’s present job safety and health

program. In addition, the service offers assistance to employers

in developing and implementing an effective safety and health

program. No penalties are proposed or citations issued for

hazards identified by the consultant. OSHA provides consultation

assistance to the employer with the assurance that his or her

name and firm and any information about the workplace will not

be routinely reported to OSHA enforcement staff.

Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers

may request participation in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement

Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation in SHARP

includes receiving a comprehensive consultation visit, demonstrating exemplary achievements in workplace safety and health by

abating all identified hazards, and developing an excellent safety

and health program.

Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption

from programmed inspections (not complaint or accident investigation inspections) for a period of 1 year. For more information

concerning consultation assistance, see OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov.

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

Voluntary Protection Programs and on-site consultation services,

when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expand

employee protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The

VPPs motivate others to achieve excellent safety and health results

in the same outstanding way as they establish a cooperative relationship between employers, employees, and OSHA.

For additional information on VPP and how to apply, contact the

OSHA regional offices listed at the end of this publication.

Strategic Partnership Program

OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program, the newest member of

OSHA’s cooperative programs, helps encourage, assist, and

28
recognize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious workplace

hazards and achieve a high level of employee safety and health.

Whereas OSHA’s Consultation Program and VPP entail one-onone relationships between OSHA and individual worksites, most

strategic partnerships seek to have a broader impact by building

cooperative relationships with groups of employers and employees.

These partnerships are voluntary, cooperative relationships

between OSHA, employers, employee representatives, and

others (e.g., trade unions, trade and professional associations,

universities, and other government agencies).

For more information on this and other cooperative programs,

contact your nearest OSHA office, or visit OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov.

Alliance Program

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with groups

committed to safety and health, including businesses, trade or

professional organizations, unions and educational institutions,

to leverage resources and expertise to develop compliance

assistance tools and resources and share information with

employers and employees to help prevent injuries, illnesses and

fatalities in the workplace.

Alliance program agreements have been established with a wide

variety of industries including meat, apparel, poultry, steel, plastics,

maritime, printing, chemical, construction, paper and telecommunications. These agreements are addressing many safety and health

hazards and at-risk audiences, including silica, fall protection,

amputations, immigrant workers, youth and small businesses. By

meeting the goals of the Alliance Program agreements (training

and education, outreach and communication, and promoting the

national dialogue on workplace safety and health), OSHA and the

Alliance Program participants are developing and disseminating

compliance assistance information and resources for employers

and employees such as electronic assistance tools, fact sheets,

toolbox talks, and training programs.

OSHATraining and Education

OSHA area offices offer a variety of information services, such as

compliance assistance, technical advice, publications, audiovisual

29
aids, and speakers for special engagements. OSHA’s Training

Institute in Arlington Heights, IL, provides basic and advanced

courses in safety and health for Federal and state compliance

officers, state consultants, Federal agency personnel, and private

sector employers, employees, and their representatives.

The OSHA Training Institute also has established OSHA Training

Institute Education Centers to address the increased demand for its

courses from the private sector and from other federal agencies.

These centers include colleges, universities, and nonprofit training

organizations that have been selected after a competition for participation in the program.

OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through

grants, to conduct workplace training and education in subjects

where OSHA believes there is a lack of workplace training. Grants

are awarded annually. Grant recipients are expected to contribute

20 percent of the total grant cost.

For more information on training and education, contact the

OSHA Training Institute, Directorate of Training and Education, 2020

South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005, (847)

297-4810, or see Training on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov. For

further information on any OSHA program, contact your nearest

OSHA regional office listed at the end of this publication.

Information Available Electronically

OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on its website

at www.osha.gov. These include electronic compliance assistance

tools, such as Safety and HealthTopics Pages, eTools, Expert

Advisors; regulations, directives, publications and videos; and other

information for employers and employees. OSHA’s software

programs and compliance assistance tools walk you through

challenging safety and health issues and common problems to find

the best solutions for your workplace.

A wide variety of OSHA materials, including standards, interpretations, directives, and more can be purchased on CD-ROM from

the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents,

toll-free phone (866) 512-1800.

30
OSHA Publications

OSHA has an extensive publications program. For a listing of free

or sales items, visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov or contact

the OSHA Publications Office, U.S. Department of Labor,

200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101, Washington, DC 20210:

Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498.

Contacting OSHA

To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek OSHA advice,

assistance, or products, call (800) 321-OSHA or contact your nearest

OSHA Regional office listed at the end of this publication. The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.

Written correspondence can be mailed to the nearest OSHA

Regional or Area Office listed at the end of this publication or to

OSHA’s national office at: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational

Safety and Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.,

Washington, DC 20210.

By visiting OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov, you can also:

■ File a complaint online,

■ Submit general inquiries about workplace safety and health

electronically, and

■ Find more information about OSHA and occupational safety and

health.

31
OSHA Regional Offices

* These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job

safety and health programs and cover state and local government

employees as well as private sector employees. The Connecticut, New

Jersey, New York and Virgin Islands plans cover public employees only.

States with approved programs must have standards that are identical to,

or at least as effective as, the Federal standards.

Note: To get contact information for OSHA Area Offices, OSHAapproved State Plans and OSHA Consultation Projects, please visit us

online at www.osha.gov or call us at 1-800-321-0SHA.

32

Region I

(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*)

JFK Federal Building, Room E340

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860

Region II

(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378

Region III

(DE, DC, MD,* PA, VA,* WV)

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West

Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900

Region IV

(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-2300

Region V

(lL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street

Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220

Region VI

(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 850-4145

Region VII

(IA,* KS, MO, NE)

Two Pershing Square

2300 Main Street, Suite 1010

Kansas City, MO 64108-2416

(816) 283-8745

Region VIII

(CO, MT, NO, SO, UT,* WY*)

1999 Broadway, Suite 1690

PO Box 46550

Denver, CO 80202-5716

(720) 264-6550

Region IX

(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* HI,*

NV,* GM, Northern Mariana Islands)

90 7th Street, Suite 18-100

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-2547

Region X

(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)

1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715

Seattle, WA 98101-3212

(206) 553-5930