WAT/General/TBT-WAT-007

Buddy System for Water Proximity Work

Water Safety › General › Buddy System for Water Proximity Work

All Categories/Water Safety/General/Buddy System for Water Proximity Work

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

The buddy system pairs workers together when working near water to provide immediate emergency response.
A person working alone near water who falls in has no one to raise the alarm or deploy rescue equipment.
The buddy must maintain visual contact with their partner at all times when near water hazards.
Both buddies must be trained in the use of rescue equipment including throw lines and life rings.
The buddy system is a control measure identified in the water safety risk assessment.
It is required when work takes place within 2 metres of an unprotected water edge.
The buddy does not enter the water to rescue — they deploy equipment and raise the alarm.
Communication between buddies must be maintained even when carrying out separate tasks nearby.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require effective arrangements for water proximity work.
If one buddy leaves the area, the other must stop work near water until the system is restored.

Immediate rescue	A lone worker who falls into water may drown before anyone notices.
Alarm raising	The buddy raises the alarm and deploys rescue equipment within seconds of an incident.
Legal duty	MHSWR requires suitable arrangements for workers near water — the buddy system fulfils this.
Cold water shock	In UK waters, incapacitation from cold shock happens in seconds — immediate response is essential.

Don't

DON'T work near unprotected water edges without a buddy in visual contact.
DON'T allow your buddy to leave without stopping your work near water.
DON'T enter the water to rescue your buddy — use throw lines and life rings.
DON'T work as buddies if neither of you knows how to use rescue equipment.
DON'T treat the buddy system as optional — it is a required safety control.
DON'T lose visual contact with your buddy by moving to a different area.
DON'T assume your buddy can swim — cold water incapacitates even strong swimmers.
DON'T position yourself and your buddy where you could both fall in together.
DON'T rely on the buddy system alone — wear a PFD as additional protection.
DON'T work near water at night without enhanced lighting and communication.

See also: Drowning Prevention and Water Safety | Water Safety Risk Assessment

Generate professional Risk Assessment and Method Statements in minutes. 10 document formats, site-specific content, instant Word download.

Toolbox Talk Record