River bank safety requirements

Under 1917.126(a), the river bank rule applies to temporary installations or temporary operations near a river bank. Employers must treat the rule as triggered when work is temporary and located adjacent to a river bank rather than for permanent, long-term shore installations. See 1917.126(a).

• If your site is a permanent dock or a designated waterfront facility used solely for bulk storage/transfer, Part 1917 may not apply; consult OSHA guidance on waterfront facility applicability at Applicability to waterfront facilities.

Under 1917.126(b), you must post or provide other portable protection such as roping off the outer perimeter when the working surface at the river bank slopes so steeply that an employee could slip or fall into the water. The protection requirement is triggered by the slope and the slip/fall risk—not merely proximity to water. See 1917.126(b).

• Portable protection examples include roping off, temporary barriers, cones, or signs to clearly mark the hazardous perimeter.

Under 1917.126(b), any employee working on the outer perimeter of a river-bank working surface that slopes so steeply an employee could slip or fall into the water must wear a personal flotation device meeting the requirements of 1917.95(b). The rule requires PFD use for employees exposed to the slip-and-fall hazard. See 1917.126(b) and 1917.95(b).

• Employers should provide PFDs that comply with 1917.95(b) and ensure employees wear them whenever the slope hazard exists.

Under 1917.95(b), personal flotation devices must meet the specific requirements set out in that subsection, and employees required by 1917.126(b) must wear a PFD that conforms to those requirements. Employers must use devices that satisfy 1917.95(b) when the river-bank rule triggers PFD use. See 1917.126(b) for when the PFD requirement applies.

• If you need to confirm acceptable device types, check the full 1917.95 section for manufacturer, performance, and maintenance expectations.

Under 1917.126(b), a guardrail is not explicitly required; instead the outer perimeter of the working surface must be protected by posting or other portable protection such as roping off. The standard mandates perimeter protection and PFD use where slopes create a slip/fall risk, but it does not state that permanent guardrails are required. See 1917.126(b).

• If permanent guardrails are feasible, they can provide stronger protection, but the 1917.126(b) text specifically references posting or portable protection as the required means for temporary operations.

Under 1917.126, the personal flotation device requirement applies only where working surfaces at river banks slope so steeply that an employee could slip or fall into the water; the rule does not require PFDs for all work next to water. Employers must assess the slope and slip/fall hazard to determine PFD necessity. See 1917.126(b).

• When slopes are not steep enough to present a slip/fall hazard, 1917.126 does not itself mandate PFDs, but employers should still evaluate other hazards and applicable standards.

Under 1917.126(a), a "temporary operation" means work that is not permanent and is conducted near a river bank for a limited duration; the section applies to temporary installations or temporary operations near a river bank. If your activity is short-term, episodic, or a nonpermanent installation adjacent to the bank, treat it as temporary for purposes of 1917.126(a). See 1917.126(a).

• For permanent docks or facilities used continuously for cargo transfer, Part 1917 may not apply; consult the OSHA interpretation on waterfront facility applicability at Applicability to waterfront facilities to confirm coverage.

Under 1917.126(b), practical examples of "posting or other portable protection" include clearly visible signs, cones, temporary rope lines or portable barriers that mark and restrict access to the steep outer perimeter of the working surface where employees could slip or fall into the water. The standard allows portable means — such as roping off — to protect the perimeter. See 1917.126(b).

• Use high-visibility materials, post warning signs in the work language(s), and ensure the barrier is set at a safe distance from the slope to prevent accidental slips.

Under the PPE payment guidance applicable to Part 1917, the employer must provide required personal protective equipment, including personal flotation devices mandated by 1917.126(b), and generally must pay for employer-required PPE unless a specific exception applies. See the OSHA interpretation on employer payment for PPE at Employee PPE payment methods and the PFD requirement at 1917.126(b).

• Make sure provided PFDs meet 1917.95(b) and are available at no cost to employees when their use is required by the standard.

Under 1917.126, while the section itself requires PFDs where steep slopes pose a slip/fall risk, employers should also ensure appropriate rescue capability and first-aid readiness for work near water as part of a reasonable safety program. OSHA recognizes that marine-terminal employers must ensure onsite first-aid-trained individuals; see OSHA's guidance on first aid and bleeding control at First aid and bleeding control and the river-bank PFD requirement at 1917.126(b).

• As practical steps: keep rescue throw bags or lines available, ensure employees know how to use PFDs, and have at least one trained first-aider onsite when maritime hazards exist.

Under 1917.126, the duty to protect the outer perimeter and require PFDs is based on the slope and risk of slipping or falling into the water; low light or poor visibility increases risk and therefore strengthens the need to implement perimeter protection and PFDs where the slope hazard exists. See 1917.126(b).

• In low-light conditions, use illuminated or reflective roping, additional signage, and ensure PFDs and rescue equipment are more readily accessible to reduce risk.

Under 1917.126, Part 1917 generally covers marine terminals, but a designated waterfront facility used solely for bulk storage, handling, and transfer of liquids or gases may fall outside the application of Part 1917; OSHA's interpretation explains that Part 1917 requirements may not apply to such designated waterfront facilities. See 1917.126 and the OSHA interpretation at Applicability to waterfront facilities.

• If your site is a designated waterfront facility, confirm which OSHA part applies before relying on 1917.126 as your compliance basis.

Under 1917.126(b), employers may not rely solely on employee caution when the working surface slopes so steeply that an employee could slip or fall into the water; the standard requires posting or other portable protection (such as roping off) and PFDs for those situations. Relying only on worker care is not sufficient when the standard's conditions are met. See 1917.126(b).

• Employers should implement the perimeter protection, provide PFDs that meet 1917.95(b), and train employees in safe procedures.

Under 1917.126 in conjunction with the PFD requirements in 1917.95, employers must use personal flotation devices that meet the standards and keep them in serviceable condition through proper inspection and maintenance as required by 1917.95(b). Employers are responsible for ensuring PFDs are functional and safe for use. See 1917.126(b) and 1917.95(b).

• As practical steps: inspect PFDs before each shift for tears, degraded flotation, or damaged straps and replace any defective units immediately.