An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Federal Grain Inspection 

Service

Field Management 

Division 

1400 Independence Ave. 

SW, Stop 3630

Washington, D.C. 20250

Voice (202) 720-0228

Fax (202) 690-3951

Hotline 1-800-998-3447

Reference #271 October 14, 2016

TO: FGIS POLICY BULLETIN BOARD

FROM: Samantha Simon, Deputy Director

 Field Management Division 

SUBJECT: Launch Boat Safety

ORIGINATING OFFICE: Policies, Procedures, and Market Analysis Branch

1. PURPOSE

This policy memorandum communicates FGIS policy for use of launch 

boats for transportation to midstream ships, barges, or floating rigs.

2. BACKGROUND

FGIS is committed to protecting the safety of all employees performing 

official duties. One of the most potentially dangerous situations 

that FGIS employees encounter on the job is embarking on and 

disembarking from launch boats.

After a recent review of launch boat safety procedures, Field 

Management Division (FMD) has decided to implement a safety policy 

for all FGIS employees who perform work at midstream locations.

GIPSA takes seriously its responsibility to provide a workplace 

free of recognized hazards that are likely to cause injury or death. 

While there is no specific guidance on launch boat safety from the 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), OSHA’s 

General Duty Clause (29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1)) requires employers to act 

when no other standards exist for a particular hazard. OSHA uses the 

following four conditions to determine if a hazardous situation violates 

the General Duty Clause:

1. Employees must be exposed to a hazard.

2. The hazard must be recognized by the employer.

3. The hazard must be likely to cause serious physical harm or death.

4. There must be a feasible way to correct the hazard.
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FMD has determined that these four conditions have been met in the 

case of employees embarking on and disembarking from launch boats 

and has reviewed the policy to account for employee safety.

Additionally, section 6(a)(3) of FGIS Directive 9180.48 states “Stowage 

Examination Services,” official personnel are directed to “ensure that 

adequate first aid and rescue equipment is available and identify the 

individual responsible for maintaining this equipment so that quick 

access to the equipment can be made in case of an accident.”

3. POLICY

FGIS employees must not board any launch boat service to board 

any ships, barges, or floating rigs unless a licensed boat captain and 

deckhand are present on board the launch vessel. Before boarding 

the ship, barge, or floating rig, ensure that the deckhand is nearby and 

ready to provide aid in an emergency.

If the launch boat is not staffed with at least one captain and one 

deckhand, inform the driver that you are unable to board for safety 

reasons and contact your supervisor for further assistance.

Upon boarding the launch boat, familiarize yourself with the location 

of any lifesaving devices and request instruction from the captain or 

deckhand as to the proper use of such equipment.

All employees must wear U.S. Coast Guard Type I, II, III, or V PFD 

life vests at all times while on board the launch boat. These must 

be international orange in color, must contain reflective panels, and 

must not be of an inflatable type. If used at night, the vests must be 

equipped with a light and a whistle. Before putting on the life vest, 

inspect it for any potential defects and to ensure proper fit.

Supervisors must ensure that all employees have documented 

safety training, knowledge of, and understanding of all OSHA and 

GIPSA/FGIS safety requirements before assigning any employee 

to midstream work (e.g., ships, barges, floating rigs). Document all 

safety training for inclusion in the employee’s training record.

Field office management must ensure that all personnel who have 

need to utilize launch boat services read this notice.

4. QUESTIONS 

Direct any questions concerning this policy 

AMS - FGIS Policies Procedures and Market Analysis Branch.