Special Cases - Ponds and Lagoons

Personal protective equipment (PPE) can save lives. PPE can also pose real dangers for personnel working near water. This equipment can make it very difficult to move. Therefore, drowning is a real danger to employees wearing PPE. For these reasons, OSHA provides suggestions for safety near water sources such as ponds and lagoons.

The general safety guidelines near water sources are as follows:

• Stay on shore whenever possible.
• Remain aware that solid wastes can float and look like solid, cracked mud. This is not stable ground and can be hazardous.
• Use caution when working along shorelines.

Here are some examples of the types of equipment that employers should provide when employees work on sites where there is a real danger of drowning:

• Lifeboats
• Tag lines
• Railings
• Nets
• Safety harnesses
• Flotation gear

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