Slippery Situation
BY LAUREN HEARTSILL DOWDLE
Wear a life vest when working around water features.
THE ACCIDENT: A worker is
removing algae from a water feature
at a golf resort. He is in ankle-deep
water next to a concrete storm runoff
culvert, which directs natural water
runoff into the water features on the
golf course. One of his crewmembers
hears a splash and sees the worker go
underwater. He calls the Emergency
Medical Services. An hour later, they
discover the worker's body at the bottom of a 15-foot depression that was
created by winter storm runoff.
THE BOTTOM LINE: With about
10 people dying every day from
unintentional drowning, it is important for crews to follow safe practices when
working around water features. The worker
should have been wearing a U.S. Coast Guardapproved life jacket or buoyant work vest since
he was working in an area where drowning was a danger. Here are other water-safe
practices:
• Before and after each use, inspect
the life jacket/vest for defects that could
ILLUSTRATION BY DON LOMAX
affect strength or buoyancy.
• Have at least one crew member who is
trained in CPR, first aid and basic
emergency-response skills on the jobsite.
• Encourage employees to learn how to swim.
Pair poor swimmers with strong swimmers
if working around water.
• Provide basic water-safety training to all
employees. Local Red Cross chapters and
community centers may offer these courses.
tlc
presented by:
www.toro.com
m.toro.com/LCE
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A P R I L 2013
Tota lLa nd s c a p e C a re . c o m
3/28/13 1:19 PM
