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500 EM385-1-1 Construction Safety Hazard Awareness for Contractors Sections 1 - 6
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500 EM385-1-1 Construction Safety Hazard Awareness for Contractors Sections 1 - 6

05.J Personal Flotation Devices.

05.J.01

Inherently buoyant Type III, Type V work vests, or better USCG-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) must be provided and properly worn in closed fashion (zipped, tied, latched, etc.) by all persons in the following circumstances: > See 05.J.02 and Figure 5-1

  1. On floating pipelines, pontoons, rafts, or stages;
  2. On structures or equipment extending over or next to water except where guardrails, personal fall protection system, or safety nets are provided for employees;
  3. Working alone at night where there are drowning hazards, regardless of other safeguards provided;
  4. In skiffs, small boats, or launches, unless in an enclosed cabin or cockpit; or
  5. Whenever there is a drowning hazard.
Life jackets - usace photo.
Personal Flotation Devices must be USCG-approved.

05.J.02

Automatic-Inflatable PFDs Type V or better, USCG-approved for Commercial Use, may be worn by workers in lieu of inherently buoyant PFDs (see conditions 05.J.01.a-e above), provided the following criteria is met:

  1. PFDs are worn only by workers over 16 years of age and those who weigh 90 lb (40.8 kg) or more;
  2. An AHA must be developed for the intended activity and must be used to select the most appropriate PFD for the activity;
  3. PFDs must be inspected, maintained, stowed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. PFDs used in heavy construction or maintenance activities or where hot work (welding, brazing, cutting, soldering, etc.) is to be performed must be designed, tested and certified by the manufacturers for this type of work;
  • Note: The standard commercial auto-inflatable PFD does not meet these requirements.
  1. PFDs must provide a 30-pound minimum buoyancy, post-deployment, and must have a status indicator window;
  2. Personnel must be trained in the use, maintenance, restrictions, care, storage, inspection and post-deployment procedures per manufacturer's instructions;
  3. The USCG-approval for auto-inflatable PFD's is contingent upon the PFD being worn, not stowed. All auto-inflatable PFDs must be worn at all times a drowning hazard exists.
  4. In-water testing is required for all first time users so that wearers become familiar with the feel and performance of the PFD.

05.J.03

All wearable PFDs must be of an international orange (or orange/red) or ANSI 107 yellow-green color.

  1. Each inherently buoyant PFD must have at least 31 in2 (200 cm2) of retroreflective material attached to its front side and at least 31 in2 (200 cm2) on its back side, per USCG requirements (46 CFR Part 25.25-15).
  2. Each auto-inflatable PFD must have at least 31 in2 (200 cm2) of retroreflective material attached to its front side and at least 31 in2 (200 cm2) on its bladder, to be visible when deployed (with the exception of Work Vests, which are allowed to have a total of 31 in2 front and back, combined).

05.J.04

Each PFD must be equipped with a USCG-approved automatically activated light. Lights are not required for PFDs on projects performed exclusively during daylight hours.

05.J.05

Before and after each use, the PFD must be inspected for defects that would alter its strength or buoyancy.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

5-17. When must inherently buoyant USCG-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) be provided?

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