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Work Over Water, Marine Interfaces & Drowning Prevention
Controls for construction and marine works over or adjacent to water in the UAE — jetties, dredging, marine piling and coastal reclamation — covering lifejackets, rescue craft and Federal Transport Authority / port authority marine rules.
v2.0Updated 15 Feb 2026ADOSH-SF v4.1 (February 2026)Learning Objectives
- Identify tasks classed as 'work over water' requiring marine-specific controls.
- Select and correctly wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) and lifejackets for the task.
- Describe the standby rescue boat and man-overboard response requirements.
- Explain UAE marine permit and port/coastguard notification requirements.
- Apply barrier, edge protection and lighting controls at quaysides and pontoons.
Training Video
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1. Identifying Work Over Water
Work over water includes jetty and berth construction, marine piling, pontoon assembly, dredging support, work from barges, and any task within falling distance of open water, canals, or reclamation lagoons. UAE coastal and Trakhees marine projects require these tasks to be identified at the planning stage, with a dedicated marine works risk assessment separate from the standard land-based construction risk assessment, addressing tides, currents, vessel traffic and drowning risk specifically.
2. Personal Flotation Devices
Workers within 2 metres of an unprotected edge over water, or working from vessels, barges or pontoons, wear an approved lifejacket or PFD rated for the task (inherently buoyant or auto-inflating, minimum 150N for offshore/rough conditions). PFDs are inspected before each use for CO2 cartridge status, buoyancy chamber integrity and secure fastenings, and are never substituted with a buoyancy aid rated for calm recreational water only.
3. Standby Rescue and Man Overboard
Any work over water requires a dedicated standby rescue boat or ring-buoy/throw-line station positioned within immediate reach, with a trained rescue boat operator available whenever personnel are exposed to fall-into-water risk. A man-overboard drill and communication procedure (radio call, muster, headcount) is briefed before work starts, and response time targets are documented and tested periodically to confirm they are achievable.
4. UAE Marine Permits and Notifications
Marine works require permits and notifications to the relevant port authority, coastguard, or Federal Transport Authority in addition to Trakhees or Dubai Municipality construction permits, especially where works affect navigable channels or vessel traffic. Marine notices to mariners are issued for dredging, piling barges or temporary structures, and vessel movements are coordinated with harbour control to avoid collision and wash hazards to personnel working at the water's edge.
5. Edge Protection and Lighting
Quaysides, pontoons and jetty decks under construction require edge protection (guardrails or physical barriers) wherever practicable, and where open edges must remain for operational reasons, they are marked with high-visibility bunting, illuminated at night to at least the minimum lux level for the activity, and monitored by a dedicated water watch during active lifting or plant movement near the edge.
6. Environmental and Emergency Planning
Marine works stop or apply additional controls during high sea states, strong currents, poor visibility, or approaching storms, referencing National Center of Meteorology marine warnings. An emergency plan specific to drowning and marine incidents is in place, covering casualty recovery from water, hypothermia/near-drowning first aid, and coordination with the coastguard and nearest hospital, and is communicated during the marine works induction before any worker is exposed to the hazard.
Knowledge Assessment
1. A dedicated marine works risk assessment is required in addition to the standard risk assessment because it must address:
2. Workers within how many metres of an unprotected edge over water should wear a PFD?
3. A minimum buoyancy rating commonly specified for offshore/rough water PFDs is:
4. Work over water requires a standby rescue capability that is:
5. In addition to Trakhees or Dubai Municipality permits, marine works typically require notification to:
6. Open edges on a jetty deck that must remain unprotected for operations should be:
7. A man-overboard drill should be briefed:
8. Marine works should apply additional controls or stop during:
9. PFD pre-use inspection should check:
10. A recreational buoyancy aid rated for calm water is:
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