Whenever employees are working over or near water, ring buoys with at least how many feet of line shall be provided?

When employees are working over or near water, OSHA regulations specify that life-saving equipment such as ring buoys must be provided to enhance safety. Specifically, a ring buoy must have at least 90 feet of line attached to it. This length is essential because it ensures that the buoy can be thrown to a person in distress and reach them quickly, regardless of certain variables like the distance from the edge or the conditions of the water.

The 90-foot standard is not arbitrary; it accounts for the need to both throw the buoy to someone in peril and provide enough line for the individual to be pulled in safely. Having insufficient length could result in ineffective rescue attempts, as employees may not have enough line to reach someone who has fallen into the water.

This requirement aligns with best practices for safety in hazardous environments, particularly those involving water, and highlights the importance of having the right safety measures in place to protect workers.