Riverboat work can involve heavy equipment, machinery, hazardous materials and changing conditions. Workers may ask what training their employers must provide before they begin work on a vessel.
Training should match the work
Under U.S. Coast Guard regulations, employers of covered towing vessels are required to give crew members safety information and training suited to their jobs. Other types of riverboats may be subject to different federal requirements depending on the vessel type and operation. Employers must give each crewmember a safety orientation. This must happen before the crewmember first works on a specific vessel.
The orientation should cover the vessel’s safety rules. It should also explain the hazards workers may face. Employers must also train workers to use personal protective equipment (PPE) when their jobs require it.
What safety training may cover
The required training depends on the vessel and the work. It may cover:
- Reporting unsafe conditions and following vessel safety rules
- Choosing, using and caring for personal protective equipment
- Using deck machinery, tools, ladders and other equipment safely
- Handling and storing hazardous materials
- Understanding workplace hazard information
- Entering confined spaces safely
- Using respiratory protection when required
- Preventing the unexpected movement or release of equipment
- Taking steps to prevent falls overboard
- Responding to emergencies
Federal regulations may also require refresher training in certain circumstances, such as when a worker’s performance indicates a gap in knowledge or when job duties or vessel conditions change. Employers may also have obligations to provide safety information to non-crew workers who could be exposed to hazards on or near the vessel, depending on the applicable federal regulations and the nature of the work.
Training plays an important role in safety
Good training helps workers recognize hazards and respond to them. Employers must follow required safety practices. They must also provide the safety measures their operations require.
Riverboat workers have the right to receive safety training. Knowing these rights can help workers identify safety problems at work. After an injury, workers should keep records of their training and safety instructions. They should also save any reports about workplace hazards. These records can help document what happened.
