Shipyard work is traditionally hazardous, with an injury-accident rate more than twice that of construction and general industry. OSHA, in partnership with the American Shipbuilding Association (ASA), National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) and the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), has developed an eTool that describes common hazards and possible solutions for tasks performed during the ship repair process.
Ship Building Hazardous Areas
Shipbuilding activities are some of the most hazardous shipyard operations. There are multiple types of construction, including modular construction, traditional construction (from keel up) and fiberglass/composite material mold construction. Shipbuilding processes, such as constructing, assembling, installing, cleaning, painting, outfitting and testing, can expose workers to a variety of hazards, including exposure to toxic substances, hazardous atmospheres, electrocution, falls, fires and explosions. An effective safety and health program can help eliminate or minimize many of these hazards.
OSHA’s eTool presents a number of modules that have been adapted specifically to shipbuilding, including:
- Confined or Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres [29 CFR 1915 Subpart B]
- Cleaning and Other Cold Work [29 CFR 1915 Subpart C]
- Hot Work (including Welding, Cutting and Heating) [29 CFR 1915 Subpart D]
The following modules are common to both shipbuilding and ship repair:
- Access and Guarding of Work Surfaces [29 CFR 1915 Subpart E]
- Fire Protection [29 CFR 1915 Subpart P]
- Materials Handling (including Gear and Equipment for Rigging) [29 CFR 1915 Subpart G]
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) [29 CFR 1915 Subpart I]
- Scaffolds (Staging) [29 CFR 1915 Subpart E]
Visit OSHA’s Shipbuilding eTool webpage for a complete list of modules and other information.
The OSHA Training Center is offering OSHA 5410 – OSHA Standards for the Maritime Industry in Dublin, California, on April 18-22 and July 25-29, and in Honolulu on August 1-5, 2016. Visit our website to register and learn more about what this 5-day course covers.