Anyone in the maritime industry knows that the working conditions for barge crew and other maritime employees can be dangerous when precautions are not taken. Agencies like the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) have traditionally implemented the rules and regulations surrounding the safety of employees. There is now a push for deep cuts or possible disbandment of OSHA, but barge (and boat) safety should continue to be taken seriously by barge companies, regardless of the outcome of OSHA’s fate.
Barge Safety is in Everyone’s Best Interest
Barge industry workers frequently come into contact with potential dangers when protocols are not followed carefully. Some of these include heavy equipment shifting when not properly secured, slick walkways, and improper handling of corrosive or temperature controlled liquid cargo. These kinds of hazards have the potential to affect human lives, waste valuable time and money, harm the surrounding environment, and reflect poorly on the barging company involved.
The Impact of Noncompliance: Some examples
A prime example of problems that arise from noncompliance is a barge breakaway. Barge breakaways become far more likely if crews are not properly trained and protocols are not followed. Barge breakaways can become serious if the barge is damaged, especially when they collide with another vessel or infrastructure on land. The risk of injury or loss of life is not negligible here.
Another example is a collision between moving boats, like the one took place on the Mississippi River in January of 2023. A failure to adhere to communication protocol caused a major barge tow collision when two barge tow operators who were communicating passing arrangements, failed to repeat back the proposed arrangements. This lapse in protocol caused two minor injuries, the release of approximately 1,380 gallons of ethanol into the waterway, and an estimated 1.36 million dollars in damage to 14 barges.
Legal Ramifications
In addition to damage and crew injury, accidents caused by unsafe conditions can lead to additional losses for the barge company. If it is proven that a barge worker is injured due to the negligence of their employer or an unsafe vessel (one that does not pass required inspections), there can be legal ramifications under certain laws.
The best way to prevent these kinds of disasters and ensure a safe work environment is to implement safety protocols, ensure the crew is trained sufficiently, and to keep detailed documentation of what has been done. Preventing costly collisions and loss of cargo is clearly in the best interest of barge operators, but ensuring a safe environment for workers can also reduce the challenge of attracting and keeping workers in the maritime industry.
The Crucial Protocols Keeping Barge Workers Safe on U.S. Rivers
There are several laws and regulations in place for protecting marine workers. The main ones of relevance to the barge transport industry are:
- The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, which at the highest level, states that these employees have the right to a “safe place to work.” (What exactly is needed to create a safe workplace will depend on the type of barge and the type of cargo it is carrying.)
- OSHA’s guidelines (1926.605) for marine operations and equipment.
- The United States Coast Guard (USCG) guidelines for barge safety.
Granted, wading through all of these guidelines can be tedious—but it is necessary for putting the right sort of safety protocols into place. To give a flavor of what needs to be done, here are some of the main categories that these sources cover:
Inspections
Safety inspections for boats, barges, and the equipment they carry are crucial. Regular inspections should occur to check for unsecured equipment, equipment function, and the condition of the barge itself. If any inspection finds that the barge or equipment is unsafe or needs to be repaired, it should always be taken out of service until it passes another inspection.
Most barges are already required to undergo certain inspections for the Vessel General Permit (VGP) compliance. They should also be inspected annually by a USCG official or an accredited marine surveyor. It’s also important to make sure crew members understand that these inspections are tied to safety and that they adhere to them in a timely manner.
Barge Access
Current OSHA standards for marine operations and equipment (1926 Subpart O) provide safety guidelines for proper barge access rules. These include guidelines for making walkways free of obstructions and for maintaining adequate lighting, and regulations for ladders, ramps, and handrails. In general, these rules are meant to minimize the risk of accidents and falls.
First-Aid and Lifesaving Equipment
For the times when accidents do happen, it is imperative to have proper first aid and lifesaving equipment readily available. The OSHA guidelines mentioned above include a section on the required provisions for this. The requirements include things like life vests, first aid kits, a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life ring with at least 90 feet of line attached, and a ladder that must reach the surface of the water from the top of the apron.
Life Jackets
One recent change to safety protocols involves the USCG’s updated the life jacket classification system, designed to enhance safety and align with international standards by using “Performance Levels” instead of the Type I–V classifications. This classification went into effect on January 6 of 2025, and is worth reviewing.
Digitization
The USCG finalized a rule stating that companies operating barges on U.S. rivers now need to submit safety, operational, and environmental reports through digital systems. Thus, having software to track important events and create reports is crucial. This is where BareOps software can help businesses streamline the process.
Proper Training and Manpower
Working with dangerous machinery and hazardous materials requires in depth training to keep workers safe. This is apparent by its inclusion in the Jones Act. Proper employee training helps to provide a “safe place to work” by teaching workers how to prevent accidents while working and what to do when an accident does occur. This can sometimes include ongoing training or refresher training to make sure the crew is aware of any changes in protocol and to remind them of the importance of safety on board a boat.
Another way to prevent accidents from occurring is to make sure enough workers are available for jobs that require multiple people. Attempting to move cargo, operate equipment, or do other dangerous activities with too few people can cause unnecessary injuries and loss of cargo or equipment.
Keeping Up to Date is a Critical Part of Barge Safety
While many of the general guidelines for barge safety stay the same over time, there can be minor updates and changes. To ensure a barge is operating at peak safety, operators should regularly check for changes to rules and regulations to stay up to date. It pays to keep up with new inventions designed to mitigate accidents in the marine industry, too, as new technology can make boats and barges more safe.
The USCG new rules for digital reporting is a great example of where safety regulations and technology crossover. Not only can advanced software help with that reporting, it can help crews standardize and maintain those safety protocols, too.
