Personal buoyancy aid with attachment points for H&S

[sarabande]

Throwing myself open to the forum knowledge, please.

I have recently had a preliminary review of my H&S practices at an inland (riverside) site. As a result, I am keen to find a personal buoyancy aid (around 50N) which has a crutch strap(s) and - importantly - back and front (dorsal and sternum) attachment points for a couple of tethers.

I have a full body harness for working at height, but it's a pain to put on, and adjust for various weather/river conditions, so is only used when a clear risk identifies itself. Also a number of automatic 150N inflatable LJs. These are almost incompatible with the full harness, as they interfere with work actions and could under some conditions cause an accident.

In looking for a PB with attachment points, I cannot find anything which invites to be put on every time I go near the water. Having two separate items (harness plus PB) seems to be counter-productive.

Suggestions from the forum very welcome especially with related experience or recommended products. i.e. One-piece PB with crutch strap(s) and two tether attachment rings.

TIA

Typical work scenario for reference

 

[B27]

https://baltic.se/en/produkt/offshore-flytvast/#!

no rear harness though.
I think your wish list may be up against EN standards?

That looks like sriously unsafe working which won't be fixed by wearing a BA IMHO.

 

[[70521]]

It might be worth contacting the local fire and rescue service, they should have some fast water rescue specialists that could advise what they use.

 

[penberth3]

Why do you want buoyancy? You need to arrange something that stops anyone entering the water.

You also need a serious word with the plonker in the green shirt.

 

[Plum]

This is the type of pfd used by the rescue services (Coastguard, Fire & Rescue, etc). Importantly, if in hazardous fast flowing water you need to have a quick release for the tether, which is always fitted on the back, and released from the front.

IONIC Rescue Pro PFD - Safequip

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[sarabande]

What do you know about the surface on which he is standing, the type of boots he is wearing, what training he has undergone, what other people are out of shot, and what risk assessments and mitigation he has undertaken ?

Why do I want passive buoyancy ? Because there are times when it is either not possible to prevent falling in the water, or when a tethering will prevent me carrying out a task safely. My view is that a lifejacket is too bulky or liable to be set off by spray (it's happened on that very site) and makes the use of a tool belt difficult, and the 150N buoyancy of a LJ could be too much. The permanent buoyancy of what sailors think of as an "aid" is better than an LJ, given the working conditions, risk of failure or premature inflation of a LJ, or of damage to the bladder or inflation trigger,

It's always so difficult judging details from pictures, isn't it ?

 

[sarabande]

This is the type of pfd used by the rescue services (Coastguard, Fire & Rescue, etc). Importantly, if in hazardous fast flowing water you need to have a quick release for the tether, which is always fitted on the back, and released from the front.

IONIC Rescue Pro PFD - Safequip

Plum, that is right on target. Many thanks.

 

[B27]

Why do you want buoyancy? You need to arrange something that stops anyone entering the water.
...

Like banning them from the site if they contemplate that sort of activity?

 

[penberth3]

Like banning them from the site if they contemplate that sort of activity?

Exactly that! If I had any responsibility for the man in green he'd be "on his bike".

 

[sarabande]

So as the person responsible, you punish the subordinate rather than admit that responsibility starts at the top ?