Breakwater Construction Safety

Breakwaters are large coastal structures built to protect harbours, shorelines, and marine infrastructure from wave action.
Construction typically involves placing massive rock armour, concrete units, or caisson elements in open water.
Tidal conditions, wave action, and weather windows dictate when work can safely take place.
Marine plant including barges, floating cranes, and jack-up platforms are used for placement operations.
Rock armour units can weigh over 10 tonnes each, requiring planned lifting operations with exclusion zones.
Workers face drowning risk, crush injuries from heavy units, and being swept off structures by waves.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply to all marine construction works.
Man overboard procedures and rescue equipment must be in place at all times during breakwater work.
Access to breakwater structures under construction is often via temporary causeways or boat transfers.
Weather forecasting and real-time sea state monitoring are essential for safe breakwater construction.

Prevent drowning	Working in and over open sea with heavy waves creates constant drowning risk requiring PFDs and rescue plans.
Crush injury prevention	Massive rock and concrete units can shift in waves, crushing workers caught in the placement zone.
Tidal and weather risks	Conditions change rapidly at sea — safe working windows must be planned and monitored continuously.
Legal compliance	CDM 2015 and maritime safety regulations require formal risk assessment and safe systems for marine works.

Do

Don't

Wear a PFD at all times when working on or near the breakwater structure
Check the weather forecast and tidal predictions before each shift commences
Establish exclusion zones during all rock armour and concrete unit placement operations
Ensure man overboard rescue equipment is positioned and accessible at all work locations
Brief all workers on the emergency rescue plan including boat rescue procedures
Use marine plant certified for the sea state conditions present during operations
Monitor wave heights in real time and stop work when conditions exceed safe limits
Maintain radio communication between all marine plant, shore, and the site supervisor
Inspect temporary causeways and access routes before use each day or tidal cycle
Carry out toolbox talks covering marine-specific hazards before each shift begins

DON'T work on the breakwater without wearing a correctly fitted personal flotation device
DON'T continue placement operations when wave heights exceed the agreed safe working limit
DON'T stand within the exclusion zone while rock armour is being placed or adjusted
DON'T access the breakwater by boat transfer without trained crew and vessel checks
DON'T ignore changing tidal conditions that may cut off access to the work area
DON'T walk on placed rock armour without a safe access route and fall protection
DON'T operate marine cranes or barges beyond their certified sea state rating
DON'T leave rescue equipment unsecured where it can be washed away by waves
DON'T assume calm conditions will persist — sea states can change within minutes
DON'T carry out night operations on breakwaters without enhanced lighting and procedures

See also: Marine Works Safety Awareness | Man Overboard Procedures

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Toolbox Talk Record