Drowning and immersion toolbox talk

What it is

Falling into or being trapped in water, or working on or near deep, fast-flowing or open water or from a vessel, where a person can be immersed and drown.

Controls to check, most effective first

1. Avoid working in or over water where the task can be done from dry land or from a stable platform with edge protection.
2. Fence, cover or barricade open water, pools, tanks and drains so people cannot fall in, and keep damaged barriers out of use until repaired.
3. Check water depth, flow, tides, weather and submerged obstacles before work, and do not start or continue if conditions are unsafe.
4. Keep vessels within their load and weather limits, and make sure the skipper holds the required licence and crew are briefed on man overboard and capsize drills.
5. Do not work alone near water, and keep a rescue plan, lifebuoy, throw line and trained rescuers ready before work starts.
6. Wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device suited to the work, and fit lifejackets to everyone on a vessel or working over water.

Questions for the crew

1. Where could drowning and immersion come up on this job today?
2. The most effective control is: “Avoid working in or over water where the task can be done from dry land or from a stable platform with edge protection”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
3. Which controls for drowning and immersion are missing or not working on this site?
4. When would you stop work because of drowning and immersion, and who would you tell?
5. How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?