Working Near Bodies of Water

Working in, on, or near bodies of water can pose a wide variety of hazards to workers. Bodies of waters include rivers and streams, the sea, marshes, ponds and lakes, retaining ponds and tanks, pools, and so on.

Depending on the body of water, hazards could include:

• Drowning
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Biological hazards (such as sharks, rays, jellyfish, alligators, snakes, mosquitoes, bacteria, and so on)
• Heat stress, exhaustion, and sunburn
• Cold water exposure problems (such as hypothermia)
• Maritime vehicle and boating related injuries
• Falls from heights
• Wounds from hidden obstacles
• Electrical hazards if energized lines are close, and
• Immersion foot

To learn more about Water Safety & Drowning Hazards visit our Water Safety & Drowning Hazards Online Training web page.