OSHA Guidelines And Shipyard Worker Safety
Figure 1: Illustration of many shipyard operations that require PPE: Cleaning, Confined Spaces, Hot Work, Painting, and Surface Preparation.Source: OSHA
OSHA Guidelines and Shipyard Worker Safety
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has deemed shipyard work to be an extremely dangerous occupation, recording more than twice the number of reported injuries in shipyard workers as among the general construction business.
OSHA recommends a set of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines to help reduce the risk of serious injury or death on the job in shipyards and dockyards.
OSHA Guidelines for General Shipyard Worker PPE
Certain types of shipyard work require that your employer provide you with personal protective equipment including the following PPE equipment:
- Head Protection
- Eye and Face Protection
- Foot Protection
- Hearing Protection
- Respiratory Protection
- Hand and Body Protection
- Lifesaving Equipment and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
- Personal Fall Protection Equipment
Specific Operations Requiring Additional PPE
OSHA also requires workers be provided addtional PPE for the following specific operations:
- Cleaning and Other Cold Work
- PPE Selection: Workers in Confined or Enclosed Spaces
- PPE for Testers (See Certified Marine Chemist, Shipyard Competent Person, and Certified Industrial Hygienist)
- Hot Work
- Painting
- Surface Preparation
Confined space entry is one of the leading hazards associated with barge cleaning. Review the Ship Repair: Confined or Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres chapter for information on how to protect workers from this hazard.