FLOATATION VESTS

[chicopee]

IF AN IRON WORKER TIES REBAR INSIDE OF A REBAR CAGE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CONCRETE BRIDGE PIER IN THE WATER SHOULD HE WEAR A FLOATATION VEST. REMEMBER THE IRON WORKER HAS A UTILITY BELT WITH ABOUT 25 LBS OF HAND TOOLS, WEARS INSULATED COVERALL AND GLOVES. ALSO THE REBAR CAGE PROJECTS ABOUT 15' ABOVE THE WATER LINE AND THE REBAR CAGE IS BEING BUILD INSIDE OF AN 8' DIA CAISSON. THE IRON WORKER MUST BE LOWERED INSIDE OF THE CAGE WHICH HAS ONLY ROOM FOR HIMSELF. I SURE WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME FEEDBACK FOR THIS TYPE OF SITUATION. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SUCH CAGE HAVE BEEN KONWN TO BUCKLE. I KNOW ABOUT THE OSHA REQUIREMENT FOR WORKING OVER WATER W/ A FLOATATION VEST AND BODY HARNESS BOTH OF WHICH MAY NOT BE A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION AGAINST DROWNING.

 

[aspearin1]

I can't attest to the OSHA standards on this, but if it can be concluded that the wearing of the flotation vest does not present a potential increase in risk (i.e. trap worker under buckled rebar when he could other wise swim beneath), then it seems viable. It sounds to me like this would be a catestrophic situation of lower probability. If it were me, I might prefer to have a SCUBA can on my utility belt.

aspearin1