Lifeboat safety requirements

You must secure the lifeboat with an independent device so it cannot fall or capsize before any employee works in or on a stowed or suspended lifeboat.

This means the employer must use a separate securing method (not the lifeboat releasing gear) to hold the boat stable and prevent a drop or roll. Practical examples include independent lashings, dedicated safety lines, chocks plus secondary restraints, blocking or other positive supports. The rule is explicit: see 1915.86(a).

• The standard does not prescribe one specific hardware solution, so choose methods that physically prevent falling or capsizing.
• Have a competent person evaluate the method chosen to ensure it is sufficient for the lifeboat and the work being done (see Part 1915 general provisions and OSHA guidance on competent persons, for example https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18).

The employer must ensure a qualified person determines and implements the independent securing method before employees work in or on a stowed or suspended lifeboat.

While 1915.86(a) requires the lifeboat be secured independently, Part 1915 and OSHA guidance on shipyard competent persons make clear that the employer is responsible for assigning a person capable of recognizing hazards and specifying protections. See 1915.86(a) and OSHA's letter explaining the role and responsibilities of a competent person in shipyard employment at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18.

• The competent person should evaluate the lifeboat, the work to be done, and select appropriate securing devices.
• Document decisions and procedures so workers know what controls are required before entering or working on lifeboats.

No; employees are not allowed to be in a lifeboat while it is being hoisted or lowered except when it is necessary for operational tests or drills over water or an actual emergency.

The rule plainly prohibits being in the boat during hoisting or lowering unless one of those limited exceptions applies. See 1915.86(b).

• If you plan a drill that requires personnel in the boat during a hoist, it must be an operational test or drill conducted over water and the employer must be able to justify the necessity.
• For routine maintenance or land-based training, personnel should not be in the boat while it is being hoisted or lowered.

No; 1915.86(b) only permits employees to be in a lifeboat while it is being hoisted or lowered when the employer demonstrates it is necessary for operational tests or drills over water, or in an emergency.

Because the exception specifically mentions "over water," routinely hoisting personnel in a lifeboat over land or the deck is not allowed under that exception. See 1915.86(b).

• If an employer believes a land-based operation is essential, they should treat it as a higher-risk circumstance and consult competent-person guidance and documented safety procedures before proceeding (see Part 1915 general provisions).

No; employees may not work on the outboard side of a lifeboat stowed on chocks unless the lifeboat is secured by gripes or another device that prevents it from swinging.

The standard requires a restraint (for example, gripes) that prevents the boat from swinging when workers are on the outboard side. See 1915.86(c).

• Use adequate gripes, lashings, straps, chains, or blocking designed to prevent motion.
• Confirm the securing device is properly installed and inspected by a competent person before allowing workers to access the outboard side.

Acceptable devices include gripes (dedicated restraining lines or fittings) or any other physical restraint that reliably prevents the lifeboat from swinging while employees work on its outboard side.

The standard does not list specific hardware but requires a device that accomplishes the safety function. See 1915.86(c).

• Common practical options: stainless-steel gripes, heavy-duty turnbuckles with shore lines, chains with properly rated shackles, safety straps with appropriate working load limits, or mechanical locking devices on davits.
• Whatever device you use, a competent person should determine suitability based on boat size, expected loads, and work to be done (see OSHA guidance about competent persons at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1915 and https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18).

The lifeboat must be secured independently from the releasing gear before any employee works in or on a stowed or suspended lifeboat.

That means securing is required both before personnel enter the boat and before work (maintenance, inspection, or other tasks) is performed on it while it is stowed or suspended. See 1915.86(a).

• Do not allow entry or work until the independent securing device is installed and verified.
• Verification by a competent person is a prudent step to ensure the securing method is effective for the specific situation.

Yes; 1915.86(b) allows employees to be in a lifeboat while it is being hoisted or lowered in the event of an emergency.

The standard explicitly lists emergencies as an exception to the general prohibition on occupying a lifeboat during hoisting or lowering. See 1915.86(b).

• Even in emergencies, use all available safe practices and trained personnel to minimize risk.
• After-action reviews and documentation of emergency use and lessons learned are recommended to improve future safety.

No; 1915.86(b) does not itself require employers to keep written records of the demonstration that it was necessary to have employees in a lifeboat for an over-water operational test or drill.

The standard states the condition (that employees may be in the lifeboat when the employer demonstrates necessity) but does not establish a formal recordkeeping requirement. See 1915.86(b).

• Although not required by this section, best practice is to document the rationale, risk assessment, and safety controls for any drill or test that places personnel in a hoisted lifeboat.
• Use a competent person to evaluate and sign off on the procedures; OSHA guidance about competent persons can inform who is qualified to make that judgment (see https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1915 and https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18).

No; 1915.86 does not specify exact hardware, materials, or strength ratings for securing devices — it requires only that the lifeboat be secured independently or restrained from swinging as needed.

The standard sets performance requirements (prevent falling, capsizing, or swinging) but leaves the selection of specific methods and equipment to the employer and competent person. See 1915.86(a) and 1915.86(c).

• Employers should choose devices with appropriate working load limits and durability for the lifeboat size and expected loads.
• Have a competent person evaluate and approve the chosen hardware and document inspection and maintenance procedures (see OSHA guidance on competent-person responsibilities at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardnumber/1915 and https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18).

Section 1915.86 does not explicitly address working beneath a suspended lifeboat, but it requires that a suspended lifeboat be secured independently from the releasing gear to prevent falling or capsizing, which implies the employer must prevent hazards to workers below.

See 1915.86(a). Employers retain the general duty to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards, so working beneath a suspended lifeboat would be allowed only if the lifeboat is secured and the employer has assessed and controlled the risk.

• Best practice: prohibit work under a suspended lifeboat unless engineering controls and positive restraints are in place and a competent person has authorized the work.
• Use barriers, exclusion zones, and secondary supports; document the hazard assessment and controls.

The employer is responsible for demonstrating that it is necessary to have personnel in a lifeboat during an over-water drill or operational test.

Section 1915.86(b) places the burden on the employer to show the exception applies for operational tests or drills over water. See 1915.86(b).

• The demonstration should be based on a documented safety rationale and risk assessment prepared or reviewed by a competent person. See OSHA guidance on competent persons for shipyards at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18.
• If the employer cannot show necessity, personnel should not be allowed in the lifeboat during hoisting/lowering.

Before employees work on the outboard side of a stowed lifeboat, the employer must secure the boat so it cannot swing and ensure the lifeboat is independently secured if workers will be in or on it.

These actions implement the requirements of 1915.86(c) and 1915.86(a). Practical steps include:

• Install gripes or other positive restraints to prevent swinging.
• Verify chocks are correctly placed and in good condition.
• Use secondary restraints or blocked supports if personnel will be on the boat.
• Have a competent person inspect and approve the setup before work begins (see OSHA guidance at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1915 and https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18).

Section 1915.86 does not itself specify required training content or frequency for workers involved with lifeboats; it focuses on securing and when personnel may be in lifeboats during hoisting/lowering.

See 1915.86. However, because the standard requires safe securing and limits on when personnel may be aboard during hoisting, employers should provide training so employees and competent persons know procedures, hazards, and controls for lifeboat work and drills.

• Training topics to consider: how to secure lifeboats, inspecting gripes/chocks, safe procedures for boarding and disembarking, emergency procedures, and roles during over-water tests.
• Use a competent person to develop and verify training content (see OSHA guidance at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1915 and https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18).