What safety equipment must be present when working near water to mitigate drowning risks?

• A. Ropes and floaties
• B. Only life jackets
• C. Life buoys and jackets
• D. Whistles and flares

Answer: (C)

When working near water, it's essential to have safety equipment that effectively mitigates the risks of drowning. Life buoys and jackets are specifically designed for this purpose. Life buoys can be thrown to a person who is in danger, providing them with something to hold onto while waiting for rescue. They are easily accessible and can be stationed in areas where there is a high risk of falling into the water.

Life jackets serve to keep a person's head above water, significantly improving their chances of survival in the event of an accidental fall. They are designed to automatically keep the wearer afloat and are critical for ensuring that individuals remain safe while working in or around water.

In contrast, some options do not provide adequate drowning protection. Ropes and floaties, while they may offer some level of safety, do not guarantee the same level of emergency response as life buoys. Only life jackets, while important, do not address scenarios where a person needs immediate assistance from others. Whistles and flares are primarily signaling devices and do not provide any flotation or direct assistance for drowning prevention.

Thus, the combination of life buoys and jackets is essential for comprehensive safety measures when working near water, making them the correct choice in this context.