1926.106(d): Lifesaving Skiff Near Water
Construction employers must have at least one lifesaving skiff immediately available at locations where employees are working over or adjacent to water.
Key takeaways
- 1926.106(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $233,324 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (2), FL (2), GA (2).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.106(d) 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
(d) At least one lifesaving skiff shall be immediately available at locations where employees are working over or adjacent to water. 11 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.106.
Export the list: 11 inspections cited 1926.106(d) 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(d).
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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TX (2), FL (2), GA (2), NJ (2), NC (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SEMINOLE EQUIPMENT, INC. | RICHMOND HILL, GA | $165,514 |
| GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INC | MENNO, SD | $14,188 |
| THE L.C. WHITFORD COMPANY, INC. | RICHMOND HILL, GA | $13,240 |
| D'ANNUNZIO & SONS INC. | EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ | $11,585 |
| D.S. EAKINS CONST. CORP. | PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL | $11,292 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.106(d).
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Frequently asked questions
When is a lifesaving skiff required?
At locations where employees are working over or adjacent to water.
How many skiffs are required?
At least one.
How available must the skiff be?
Immediately available.
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.