Posted By Paul Huber I am currently fighting a battle with a manager about the need for lifejackets while carrying out work from small boats in a tidal river. He is currently gathering information from other organisations in similar operations to prove that they are not routinely worn. It seems that the only way I am going to convince him and more importantly his boss is to provide similar information about organisations that do use lifejackets. I knows that the coastguard, river police, RN, Marines, etc all use them as a matter of routine. Could anyone who is involved in organisations with activities on water please let me know their policy on this matter. If you know of other organisations that enforce the use of lifejackets then I would also be grateful for that information. Thanks for the help Paul

Posted By Paul Huber Richard, Thanks for your comments, I agree wholeheartedly; Risk assessment is the answer. However, I am dealing with someone who doesn't accept the result of the risk assessment. He's been working on the water for 30 years..............., you know the type. I will win, I just want to back up my victory with as much independant support as I can muster. Paul

Posted By Nicky I will see what I can find that is more up to date, but nearly twenty years ago I used to teach windsurfing (oh dear, I didn't realise how old I was)and the Royal yachting Association insisted that qualified Instructors wore lifejackets (Whilst in boats, not on windsurfers!)- The BBC insist that ayone working near water wearrs lifejackets - and they aren't in a boat.The guidance is there somewhere. Nicky

Posted By Ken Taylor About 75% of drownings occur in inland waters. The legal requirement is for a safe system of work based upon risk assessment. The CITB position is that 'all personnel working over or near water and at risk of falling in should wear some form of lifejacket or buoyancy aid'. Life jackets are generally preferable as they will also aid an unconscious casualty and I would suggest that buoyancy aids would only be reasonabe where a lifejacket would not be reasonably practicable and other safer working methods (eg safety harnesses) could not reasonably be employed. Training in correct use will, of course, be essential.

Posted By Stuart Nagle Paul. The Construction (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations require - that where persons may fall into any liquid with a risk of drowning, suitable and sufficient measures must be taken to: prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, persons from falling minimise risks of drowning, and ensure the provision and maintenance of suitable rescue equipment. Where transportationis by/over water, vessels used must be of suitable construction, properly maintained, controlled by a copenet person, and not overcrowded or overloaded. Given the above, there should ne no arguments whatsoever in supplying suitable (self inflating) life vests, and the necessary training ointheir use, and a means of rescue to support the personnel if falling into water (e.g. rescue boat ect perhaps - depending of level of risk). Stuart Nagle