1926.106(c): Ring Buoys Near Water
Employers must provide ring buoys with at least 90 feet of line that are readily available for emergency rescue operations. The distance between ring buoys must not exceed 200 feet.
Key takeaways
- 1926.106(c) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 15 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $82,194 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (3), FL (3), TX (2).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.106(c) 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
(c) Ring buoys with at least 90 feet of line shall be provided and readily available for emergency rescue operations. Distance between ring buoys shall not exceed 200 feet. 15 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.106.
Export the list: 15 inspections cited 1926.106(c) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.106(c).
At 11:00 a.m. on August 19, 2024, an employee was operating a floating excavatorwhen the equipment flipped over. The employee was either drowned or crushed by the overturned excavator. The incident occurred while the employee was working on water, and the circumstances led to fatal…
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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: VA (3), FL (3), TX (2), NJ (2), WI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALASKA DIRECTIONAL, LLC | PALMER, AK | $16,550 |
| CROSS PLUS CONSTRUCTION, LLC | HEMPSTEAD, TX | $13,460 |
| PCIROADS, LLC | GRANTSBURG, WI | $13,000 |
| D.S. EAKINS CONST. CORP. | PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL | $11,292 |
| HACKETTSTOWN MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY | HACKETTSTOWN, NJ | $4,900 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.106(c).
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Frequently asked questions
How much line must a ring buoy have?
At least 90 feet of line.
How far apart can ring buoys be?
The distance between ring buoys shall not exceed 200 feet.
Where must they be kept?
Readily available for emergency rescue operations.
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 2026-11-06
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.