19.A.03 Severe weather precautions.
- Where floating plant, boats or other marine activities may be endangered by severe weather (including sudden and locally severe weather, storms, high winds, hurricanes, and floods) plans must be made for removing or securing plant and evacuation of personnel in emergencies. > See Section 01.E. This plan must be part of the APP and must include at least the following:
- (1) A description of the types of severe weather hazards the plant may potentially be exposed to and the steps that will be taken to guard against the hazards;
- (2) The time frame for implementing the plan (using as a reference the number of hours remaining for the storm to reach the work site if it continues at the predicted speed and direction), including the estimated time to move the plant to safe harbor after movement is started;
- (3) The name and location of the safe location(s);
- (4) The name of the vessel(s), type, capacity, speed, and availability that will be used to move any non-self-propelled plant;
- (5) River/tide gage readings at which floating plant must be moved away from dams, river structures, etc., to safe areas;
- (6) Method for securing equipment if not moved.
- Extended movement of floating plant and tows must be preceded by an evaluation of weather reports and conditions by a responsible person to ascertain that safe movement of the plant and tow can be accomplished.
- Work or task orders must be preceded by an evaluation of weather reports and conditions by a responsible person to ascertain that safe working conditions exist and safe refuge of personnel is assured.
- USCG approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) - Types I, II, III, or V - must be worn by all personnel on decks exposed to severe weather, regardless of other safety devices used. USCG-approved Type V automatic inflatable PFDs rated for commercial use may be worn by workers on USACE sites per Section 05.J.02.
- A sufficient number of vessels of adequate size and horsepower, each designed, outfitted, and equipped for towing service, must be available at all times to move both self- and non-self-propelled plant against tides, current, and winds during severe weather conditions.
- Contractors working in an exposed marine location must monitor the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) marine weather broadcasts and use other commercial weather forecasting services as may be available.
- The floating plant must be capable of withstanding whatever sea conditions may be experienced in the work area during the time period the work is being performed (i.e., seaworthiness, or good "sea keeping" qualities).
19.A.04 Emergency planning.
Abandon Ship Training
- Plans must be prepared for response to marine emergencies such as fire, sinking, flooding, severe weather, man overboard, hazardous material incidents, etc. (Fire: USCG- approved fire plans meet this requirement). > See Section 01.E.
- A station bill, setting forth the special duties and the duty station of each crewmember for various emergencies, must be prepared and posted in conspicuous locations throughout the vessel.
- Each crewmember must be given a written description of, and must become familiar with, his/her emergency duties and must become familiar with the vessel's emergency signals.
- "Abandon ship/boat" and "person overboard" procedures must include instructions for mustering personnel.
- On all floating plant that have a regular crew or on which people are quartered, the following drills must be held at least monthly during each shift (unless the vessel is required, under USCG regulations, to be drilled more frequently): abandon ship/boat drills, fire drills, and person overboard or rescue drills.
- (1) The first set of drills must be conducted within 24 hours of the vessel's occupancy or commencement of work.
- (2) Where crews are employed or quartered at night, every fourth set of drills must be at night; the first set of night drills must be conducted within the first 2 weeks of the vessel's occupancy.
- (3) Drills must include, where appropriate, how to handle a pump shell or pipe rupture or failure within the hull (proper shutdown procedures, system containment, etc.) and how to handle leaks or failures of the hull or portions of it (what compartments to secure, how to handle power losses, pulling spuds to move to shallow water, etc.).
- Person overboard or rescue drills must be held at least monthly at boat yards, locks, dams, and other locations where marine rescue equipment is required.
- Emergency lighting and power systems must be operated and inspected at least monthly to ensure proper operation.
- (1) Internal combustion engine driven emergency generators must be operated under load for at least 2 hours each month.
- (2) Storage batteries for emergency lighting and power systems must be tested at least once every 2 months.
- A record of all drills and emergency system checks, including any deficiencies noted in equipment and corrective action taken, must be made in the station log.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
19-2. Which of the following emergency drills must be conducted at least monthly, unless required more frequently, on all floating plants having regular crew or quartered people?
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