Being able to clearly spot a man overboard, especially in dark conditions and rough weather, is essential. A horseshoe lifebelt is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment for any boat owner. Having a buoyancy device at hand for anyone in an overboard situation should be your top priority.
An essential device
Thinking that people shouldn't fall overboard because they are attached by a lifeline is foolish. The chances are high that a man overboard situation could happen, and if it's offshore or at night or when there are rough waves, the ability to locate the person is of the greatest importance.
This is when danbouys come into their own. A light is an essential device, but if the light is supported above the water, it will improve visibility and aid an efficient recovery. In the RYA Boat Safety Handbook it recommends that category A and B vessels should have a danbouy onboard. It's also a RORC and ORC requirement.
Being able to spot a man overboard is just one benefit of the danbouy. If you are the man in question, having surfaced, you will see the boat disappearing fast. Imagine the comforting sight of the danbouy flag telling you that your crew are returning to rescue you. Swimming to the danbouy would be the best course of action, and if you were without a life jacket, you would hopefully find a horseshoe lifebelt attached.
Which type?
There are two types of products on the market: rigid float and rod, or inflatable. Jimmy Green makes four rigid models designed to cover inshore, coastal, offshore and ocean use. Three of the models have telescopic rods for easier storage, and all carry a flag. The top two models can be fitted with a Plastimo light, activated by a magnetic switch. Plastimo are offering a new danbouy to replace the existing rigid model, launching very shortly. They also produce an inflatable buoy.
Inflatable danbouys come in a compact in a compact pushpit-mounted canister. The bouy is developed by detaching the canister from the holder and throwing it over the side. A light line attached to the holder then activates a CO2 cylinder which inflates the buoy. There are three models available in the UK: Plastimo, Jonbouy and Seago. The distributors of Jonbouy are due to replace the current Jonbouy, and Seago are in the process of reviewing their current model.
5 Top Tips
Always practice setting up your danbouy, and all your other lifesaving equipment, with your crew.
There are many ways to deploy the flag, the most popular way is from a tube. Flake the fabric with concertina folds and a single wrap around the flag before it is inserted into the tube, ready to unfold. If your danbouy is stored unextended, make sure it is fully extended when conditions demand.
With inflatable danbouys, always check them on a yearly basis. Weigh the gas cylinder, inflate the bouy manually to check for air tightness and check floating line for wear and UV degradation.
Always attach a drogue to the danbouy to limit drift.
In the modern industrial environment it is more important than ever to make sure you have adequate safety equipment in place. For the health and safety of your employees, and for the benefit of your company from a legal and marketing viewpoint, safety equipment is a must, and if you haven't already invested in the appropriate safety precautions, you should act with urgency to remedy the situation. In this article, we will look at why it is important that you invest in safety equipment, and how you can begin to get your workforce equipped and protected.
The importance of safety equipment in the workplace should never be underestimated, and in protecting your employees you protect both your name and your productivity. Whether it's through buying the equipment for your employees or enforcing strict procedures around health and safety, there are numerous ways in which you can promote safety equipment to your staff for use in their everyday work, particularly in dangerous trades. But why is it important for you as an employer to make sure your employees stock up on the correct safety equipment before they begin their work every day? Furthermore, what can you do to actively encourage your workforce to treat their safety equipment as part of the job, to prevent accidents and injury in the workplace?
The first thing you can do as an employer to keep your workforce safe is to implement a uniform and equipment policy, and stick to it. What that means is creating a hard and fast rule that appropriate equipment must be worn or carried or used at all times to avoid injury. If your employees disobey the rule, continue to remind them why it is there ? eventually, if you push it hard enough, your employees will act with safety equipment as second nature when in the workplace, leading to a reduction in industrial accidents and staff absences.
Secondly, as an employer you can acquire safety equipment for your organisation at a much lower unit price than each employee individually, and it may also turn out to be tax deductible, bring double benefits for your business. Look into acquiring bulk safety equipment appropriate to your industry, to benefit from both increased staff loyalty and protection, as well as minimising your potential tax liability at the end of the year as an expenses deductible from profits.
Safety equipment is an essential consideration in many industries, ranging from railwaymen to plumbers to construction workers. Wherever you happen to be working, there will almost certainly be some safety procedures in place, and a great number of vocations demand safety as a paramount consideration in the nature of the work. It goes without saying that where a job is dangerous, appropriate safety equipment should be made available at all times, and whilst this may not always be the employer's responsibility, it can be good for PR and morale to invest in the appropriate safety equipment your staff need to do their jobs.
Both Simon White & David Heller are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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