California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 4 - Construction Safety Orders
Article 13 - Work over or near Water
Section 1602 - Work over or near Water

Universal Citation: 8 CA Code of Regs 1602

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) The following safety devices shall be provided for and used by employees at those locations where the danger of drowning exists:

EXCEPTION: Where employees are continuously protected by railings, nets, safety belts or other applicable provisions of these Orders.

(1) Personal Flotation Devices (PFD). Employees shall be required to wear U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices that are marked or labeled Type I PFD, Type II PFD, or Type III PFD, or a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type V PFD that is marked or labeled for use as a work vest for commercial use or for use on vessels.

(2) Ring Buoys. U. S. Coast Guard approved 30-inch ring buoys with at least 150 feet of 600 pound capacity line shall be readily available for emergency rescue operations. Distance between ring buoys shall not exceed 200 feet.

(3) Lifesaving Boats. One or more lifesaving boats, either manually or power-operated, shall be provided and readily accessible at all times. Lifesaving boats shall be properly maintained, ready for emergency use and equipped with oars and oarlocks attached to the gunwales, boathook, anchor, ring buoy with 50 feet of 600 pound capacity line and two life preservers in accordance with Section 1602(a)(1) and (2). Oars are not required on boats that are powered by an inboard motor.
(A) Where, because of swift current, lifeboats cannot be used, a line shall be stretched across the stream with tag lines or floating planks trailing in the water at intervals not to exceed 6 feet. If this is impracticable, some other arrangement for providing effective life lines near the water surface shall be provided.

(4) The employer shall ensure that there is in the vicinity of each barge in use at least one portable or fixed ladder which will reach from the top of the apron to the surface of the water. If the above equipment is not available at the pier, the employer shall furnish it during the time that the barge is in use.

(b) Provisions for rendering first aid and medical assistance shall be in accordance with General Industry Safety orders, Section 3400.

1. Renumbering of subsections (a)-(c) to (d)-(h) and new subsections (a)-(c) filed 5-21-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 21).
2. Repealer of Article 13 (Section 1602) and new Article 13 (Sections 1602-1603) filed 5-3-78; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 78, No. 18).
3. Amendment of subsection (a)(3) filed 9-9-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 37).
4. Amendment of subsection (a)(1) filed 12-8-2004; operative 1-7-2005 (Register 2004, No. 50).
5. New subsections (a)(4) and (b) filed 8-5-2011; operative 9-4-2011 (Register 2011, No. 31).

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

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