Colusa County Public Works

Water Safety Policy

March 2000

COLUSA COUNTY

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

WATER SAFETY AWARENESS

I. WATER SAFETY POLICY

IT shall be the policy of Colusa County Department of Public Works to promote and ensure safety for all employees engaged in activities near or on the water.

With this concept in mind, all employees shall be trained to have a basic understanding of:

• Self Rescue
• Water and its corresponding hazards
• Proper protective equipment to be worn at all times near or on the water
• Working within your capabilities while assisting another employee or person who is a victim (not a rescue)
• When and who to contact in the event of a water rescue emergency

II. EMERGENCY RESCUE

It shall be the policy of Colusa County Department of Public Works that NO EMPLOYEE enters the water, at any time, for the purpose of attempting an emergency water rescue. It shall be the employee's responsibility, once a victim is located, to summon the local dive team/swift water rescue team through the Fire Department or Search and Rescue. EXCEPTION: Employees may attempt to reach a fellow employee or victim with a rake, shovel, stick, etc.. Employees may also attempt a water rescue by using a throw rope bag for purposes of assisting a fellow employee or victim in or near the water.

III. MANDATORY/NECESSARY WATER SAFETY EQUIPMENT

The following is a list of equipment that shall be issued to employees following assignments that require work over or near water.

1. One class 3 Personal Flotation Device (PFD), equipped with a whistle, to every employee. The Department shall maintain an adequate supply of various sizes of PFDs.

2. One 75 ft. 3/8" poly-rope throw bag for each vehicle at a job site.

3. Two flashlights

4. A radio, cellular phone or some other form of communication which allows employees to contact emergency services. Employees assigned to work in the field after normal work hours shall contact Sheriff's Dispatch to notify them to monitor the Public Works radio frequency in order to maintain a line of communication. The employees shall notify Sheriff's Dispatch when work is completed so Dispatch can return to their normal radio frequency monitoring.

IV. BASIC KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

1. Each employee will be trained in the Basics of the I.C.S. (Incident Command System) and his/her role within this system.

2. During emergency water rescue, each employee will attempt to locate victim or fellow employee involved in the water emergency without getting into the water. Once located, make every effort to keep said person in sight.

3. Each employee will be required to wear their issued PFD when working in close proximity (10 feet) of deep or swift water and where employees are exposed to the hazard of drowning.

4. Employees should be attentive to potential water hazards when detouring traffic and/or placing barricades.

5. Always call for HELP. Water emergencies can quickly claim the helper or assistant as a victim.

6. Observe the priorities for Safety:

A. Protect yourself first

B. Help fellow workers second

C. Help victim within your trained capabilities

7. WHEN IN DOUBT - STAY OUT !

V. POLICY FOR OPERATING IN FLOODED AREAS

• No employee shall be closer than 10 feet from the water's edge unless they are wearing their issued PFD.

2. No employee shall walk in/through water when the bottom is not visible, unless they have probed ahead with a shovel or similar tool to ensure they are not stepping into a washout area or unfamiliar terrain that slopes drastically and would cause someone to fall into swift moving water.

3. Employees aware of problem areas should inform other employees, that are not familiar with these areas, about any potential hazards. WHEN IN DOUBT - STAY OUT!

4. Always use a spotter when operating mobile equipment around hazardous water conditions.

VI. SELF RESCUE TECHNIQUES

All employees shall be taught the principles and techniques of self-rescue.

• Positioning. If an employee is swept off his/her feet in a water emergency or in watery conditions, he/she shall immediately assume a floating position with face and front of body facing upward and feet pointing downstream. This allows victim to push away from objects and obstructions.

2. Safe Areas. Look for an eddy or calm water to initiate self-rescue.

3. Rope Bag. Be ready to catch a rope bag so you may be towed to shore.

• Dangerous Conditions. When approaching a strainer, begin swimming rapidly toward strainer and push or catapult body over the top of strainer. Then assume position explained in paragraph 1 above.

VII. COMMUNICATIONS

1. Hand Signals: The following hand signals will be used any time employees are operating near the water:

A. One hand extended above head = NEED ASSISTANCE

B. Two hands forming arc over head or one hand patting head = OKAY

C. Two hands extended above head motioning left or right = MOVE OR SWIM the direction indicated

D. Both arms crossed in front of chest = NEED MEDICAL KIT and HELP

2. Whistle Blast Communications:

A. One Blast = STOP, LOOK, LISTEN or ATTENTION

B. Two Blasts = LOOK UPSTREAM

C. Three Blasts = LOOK DOWNSTREAM

D. Four Blasts Repeatedly = EMERGENCY

3. Radio Communication:

Whenever attempting to broadcast a report of any life-threatening emergency, the message shall start with the words: PRIORITY TRAFFIC. All employees using the radio shall cease using the radio to allow uninterrupted broadcast of the emergency message. No one shall use the radio unless specifically called for on the radio by the reporting individual broadcasting the priority traffic message. Employees will be allowed to use the radio only after the PRIORITY TRAFFIC-CLEAR is announced.

REFERENCE: Section 1602 and 3389, Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.