1926.605(d): First Aid and Lifesaving Gear at Barges
Marine construction employers must provide first aid under subpart D. Near each barge in use there must be at least one Coast Guard-approved 30-inch life ring with not less than 90 feet of line, and a ladder reaching from the apron top to the water. Workers on unguarded barge decks must wear Coast Guard-approved work or buoyant vests.
Key takeaways
- 1926.605(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 6 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $18,880 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.605(d)(3) (3 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.605(d) ("First-aid and lifesaving equipment") is one requirement inside 1926.605 Marine operations and equipment, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart O). It includes 3 sub-paragraphs. 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) First-aid and lifesaving equipment. 6 citations
(1) Provisions for rendering first aid and medical assistance shall be in accordance with subpart D of this part. Open (d)(1) 1 citations
(2) The employer shall ensure that there is in the vicinity of each barge in use at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved 30-inch lifering with not less than 90 feet of line attached, and at least one portable or permanent ladder which will reach the top of the apron to the surface of the water. If the above equipment is not available at the pier, the employer shall furnish it during the time that he is working the barge. Open (d)(2) 2 citations
(3) Employees walking or working on the unguarded decks of barges shall be protected with U.S. Coast Guard-approved work vests or buoyant vests. Open (d)(3) 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.605.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.605(d).
At 1:30 p.m. on January 9, 2025, Employee #1 was working as a construction laborer for a civil engineering firm and was refueling gas canisters. A coworkerwas operating a Link Belt 250X4 LF hydraulic excavator on the transfer barge during a dredging operation. Employee #1…
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OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.605(d)(3) 3 citations
- 1926.605(d)(2) 2 citations
- 1926.605(d)(1) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What life ring is required near a barge?
At least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved 30-inch lifering with not less than 90 feet of line attached.
Is a ladder required?
Yes, at least one portable or permanent ladder that reaches from the top of the apron to the surface of the water.
When must workers wear vests?
When walking or working on unguarded decks of barges.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.605 (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 2026-10-19
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.