1926.106(a): Life Jackets for Work Over Water
Employers must provide U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets or buoyant work vests to employees working over or near water where the danger of drowning exists.
Key takeaways
- 1926.106(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 26 times in the last 3 years, in 26 inspections, with $344,911 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (6), FL (5), OR (2).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.106(a) is one requirement inside 1926.106 Working over or near water, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart E). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(a) Employees working over or near water, where the danger of drowning exists, shall be provided with U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or buoyant work vests. 26 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.106.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.106(a).
At approximately 8:05 a.m. on September 23, 2024, an employee was guiding a hoseand pump into a wastewater tank. While performing this task, the employee lost his grip and fell backward into a 4-foot by 8-foot hole on top of the wastewater"head works," created by…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Top states: TX (6), FL (5), OR (2), NC (2), NJ (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SEMINOLE EQUIPMENT, INC. | RICHMOND HILL, GA | $165,514 |
| ALASKA DIRECTIONAL, LLC | PALMER, AK | $16,550 |
| GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INC | MENNO, SD | $16,550 |
| D.S. EAKINS CONST. CORP. | PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL | $16,131 |
| RIGID CONSTRUCTORS, LLC | LELAND, NC | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.106(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether construction workers while inside crane cabs or enclosed break areas on barges are required to wear life jackets. (2006-06-19)
- Life jacket/buoyant work vest requirements for employees working over water <2 feet deep; requirements for lifesaving skiffs. (2004-08-23)
- Requirement to use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for workers performing construction work over or near water does not specify type or classification. (2004-04-02)
- Life jacket and skiff requirements when working over or near water. (2003-12-05)
- Fall protection, lifejacket, and lifesaving requirements when working over or near water. (1999-09-28)
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Frequently asked questions
When are life jackets required?
When employees work over or near water where the danger of drowning exists.
What kind of life jacket is required?
A U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or buoyant work vest.
Who provides them?
The employer.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.106 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.