Why is it important to wear a personal flotation device at all times when in or around water

The work performed aboard commercial vessels at sea brings inherent risk and Australia has seen a number of fatalities as a result of man overboard (MOB) incidents. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation reported that between 1989 and 1992, 55 deaths resulted from man overboard events.

Table of Contents Show

Your duties as an employer
Situations that increase the risk of a MOB incident
Practical solutions
Selecting the appropriate PFD
Further information
Why do you need a PFD?
What causes a PFD to wear out over time?
Can you wear a PFD in the water?

Personal flotation devices (PFD) can save lives in high risk conditions and some newer designs may even be suitable to wear at all times.

A study of coronial inquests and other research shows that PFDs can save lives if worn on deck during high-risk conditions where MOB incidents are more likely to occur.

Your duties as an employer

PCBUs have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their workers, by eliminating or minimising risks that may cause them harm, so far as is reasonably practicable. You also owe the same duty of care to independent contractors and others who may be at risk from the work you carry out.

A vessel owner is a PCBU. As an owner, you have a duty to ensure that the vessel is mechanically sound and in a safe and stable condition. This includes providing and maintaining safety equipment on-board, such as marine radios, flares, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and PFDs.

As a Master, you have a duty to not put yourself or your crew at risk by your actions (or lack of action), so far as is reasonably practicable. Your duty includes maintaining a safe work environment and safe systems of work.

Where the owner and master are different PCBUs, there is also the duty to consult, cooperate and coordinate with each other to prevent risks to health and safety of workers. Further guidance is available from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's General Safety Duties.

The types of MOB incidents on commercial fishing vessels that have led to deaths of crew include:

falls nobody sees, for example when working alone, on watch, or urinating over the side
falls when working or being on deck, which crew see as they happen.

Cold water can be a factor in these deaths. The potential for both types of falls to occur, and a quick response to them, must be addressed as part of the risk assessment and management for a vessel’s emergency planning.

Situations that increase the risk of a MOB incident

Severe sea and/or wind conditions, which may impact vessel stability or a person’s balance.
Night time or dark conditions, which increase the risk of an unseen MOB incident – particularly when people are close to the side or stern of the vessel without communicating with the crew (e.g. urinating or smoking away from other people).
The methods used when retrieving pots and equipment, (eg. the degree to which crew may be required to lean over the side of the vessel, or the risk of joined working strings of pots pulling people over the side).
Slip or trip hazards on deck (eg. uncoiled ropes).
Inexperience or poor judgement due to lack of knowledge.
Impaired judgement and reaction time due to fatigue, or drug or alcohol use.

For further guidance on risk factors, refer to the Code of Practice - Man overboard: Prevention and response, 2010, Government of Western Australia.

Practical solutions

Always check and monitor the weather forecast and ensure people on the vessel understand the risks of different weather and water conditions.
Maintain visual contact or verbal communication between master and crew when on deck, especially at night.
Provide suitable training for all people on the vessel, on fishing tasks, equipment retrieval, keeping a safe workplace and the importance of communicating with others.
Ensure there are no slip or trip hazards that could cause a person to fall overboard.
Prevent people from working if they show signs of impaired reactions/judgement which place them at greater risk.
Provide training and run regular drills on emergency, rescue and evacuation procedures, and the effects of cold water immersion.
Ensure everyone can use a PFD and understand when they are required to wear them.
Select PFDs that are fit for purpose, fit each worker properly, and designed to keep a person’s head above water. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for PFD maintenance.

Selecting the appropriate PFD

There are specific requirements with respect to carrying lifejackets under the National Standard for Commercial Vessels Section C7A. There are inflatable PFDs available that meet these requirements, some of which may be suitable to wear at all times whilst on the vessel and some that also automatically inflate if a person falls into the water.

Example PFD meeting AS 4758 & ISO 12402-3 Type 1 275 Newtons

When selecting a PFD, SafeWork SA recommends that PCBUs consider the type of conditions the vessel is operating in; ensuring the PFD provides support to the head and body and is fitted correctly to the individual. PFDs should be worn during periods of MOB risk. Owner and master need to consult with crewmembers to effectively identify tasks and conditions that may lead to MOB events.

Further information

AS 4758.1:2005 Lifejacket, Part 1: General Requirements (available for viewing at the SafeWork SA library)

How to manage work health and safety risks - Code of Practice

Managing the risk of falls in the workplace - Code of Practice

1- Wearing a lifejacket or a PFD can prevent 90% of boating-related drownings. 2- It reduces the initial impact when you first fall in the water (shock from the cold water on your muscles), which can help prevent hypothermia, which is not a pleasant experience.

Why is it important to wear a PFD on a boat?

Always wear a life jacket when on, in, or near water. Drowning is the top cause of visitor deaths in national parks. Even strong swimmers have needed to be rescued or even drowned because they were overcome by the water. Wearing a life jacket can save your life!

Why do you need a PFD?

A personal flotation device—also known as a PFD—gives you more buoyancy to help you stay afloat in water. A PFD is an essential piece of gear for every kayaker, canoer and stand up paddle boarder. There are five different types of U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFDs that have a variety of end uses.

What causes PFD to wear out over time?

The number one cause of wear on a personal floatation device is ultraviolet radiation from the sun. That is because the sun destroys the synthetic material that most PFDs are made out of. Another thing that causes personal floatation devices to wear out over time is not allowing your PFDs to dry before storing them.

What is the main advantage of a Type IV PFD?

The main advantage of a Type IV PFD is: it can be used by EVERYONE. There are no size, age, or weight restrictions. From adults to kids, and even pets – everyone can use the PFD. This is what sets a Type IV PFD apart from ordinary life jackets – it doesn’t have to be fitted to a particular person before you can use it.

How old must you be to legally wear an inflatable PFD?

16 years
Inflatable PFDs are not approved for persons who are: less than 16 years of age. operating or riding on PWCs. engaging in white-water paddling.

What causes a PFD to wear out over time?

Do I need to wear a life jacket in NY?

New York law requires that all children under 12 years of age wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, or III PFD while on board any vessel less than 65 feet in length (including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats) unless they are in a fully enclosed cabin. Type V PFDs may not be substituted on children weighing less than 90 lbs.

Can you wear a PFD in the water?

This will help you get comfortable wearing a PFD in the water. Because accidents happen quickly, it is highly recommended that all boaters wear a life jacket at all times when on the water. In the case of a fall overboard, you will not have time to put on your PFD.

Do I need a lifejacket or PFD?

Personal floatation devices (PFDs) are essential any time you board a boat. And while Canadian law requires that you have a lifejacket on board for each person on board, the Canada Safety Council highly recommends not only that you have the PFD, but that you wear it at all times.

Are personal floatation devices (PFDs) safe?

Only personal floatation devices that are in good, working condition are safe to use. PFDs that are damaged in any way should be discarded immediately as even the slightest damage can greatly reduce their effectiveness. Other ways to help maintain your PFDs include: Never alter a PFD in any way.

How do I know if my PFD fits correctly?

For safety reasons, it’s recommended doing this in shallow water. Bring your knees up to your chest, so that you are floating in the water. If the PFD supports your weight and has stayed around your chest, then you have a good fit.