Many accidents have occurred where miners have drowned
while working on dredges and boats. In a recent case, a miner drowned when his
boat sank while he was trying to retrieve a broken cable from a river. The
boat was being operated with the bow facing downstream. The boat sank when
the cable came on top of the boat, caught on the motor ("stern
anchoring" the boat), and pulled the boat under. The victim was not
wearing a life jacket.
The following can prevent such accidents:
1) Boats, like any other equipment, should be of adequate size and power to
properly perform in the anticipated task. Remember that weight capacity
includes persons, motor, gear, and any other load. If a retrieval operation
is undertaken, the weight of the retrieved item must be considered.
2) Boats should be
operated by qualified individuals who have adequate experience or training to perform
the expected task. If personnel operate a boat, they should, as a minimum,
take a safety course such as those offered by the Red Cross or Coast Guard
Auxiliary. Information on boat-safety training resources can be found at: http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/courses.htm
3) Establish
and enforce policies for wearing Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). Like seat belts
on equipment, PFDs are effective only when they are worn. Provide quality PFDs of
the proper type that are appropriate for each employee's size and weight.
Types I and V PFDs are the only types that should be considered
for a working environment. Type I's are designed to turn an unconscious
person face up in the water. Type V's (marine work vests) are available
in designs that allow freedom of movement, while providing adequate
flotation. Maintain the PFD's in serviceable condition and replace them if
they become worn or damaged.
To illustrate the importance of wearing a life jacket
consider this statistic. In 1998, the U. S. Coast Guard reported
that there were 574 drownings related to recreational boats. The Coast
Guard believes that 509 of these, or nearly 90 percent, would have been
prevented if the victims had been wearing life jackets.
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