Final answer:
OSHA mandates employers to provide personal flotation devices and implement safety measures, such as fall protection, to prevent drowning when working near water. Training in the workers' language and continuous improvement of safety practices are also required.
Step-by-step explanation:
When working over or near water with a risk of drowning, OSHA requires employers to provide and ensure the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as life jackets or personal flotation devices. Employers must take steps to prevent drowning by implementing controls like providing fall protection and guarding equipment, and ensuring that workers have safe means to get out of the water. Additionally, employers should offer safety training for employees in a language they understand to effectively communicate the risks and precautions involved in working near water.
Drowning prevention is a top priority in such environments, and OSHA standards require employers to actively maintain a safe workplace, which encompasses following all relevant safety regulations and measures. This includes providing guardrails or safety harness/lines, air sampling, and medical exams or tests when required by OSHA standards, as well as ensuring continuous inspection and improvement of workplace safety practices.