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Shipyard Industry

U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 2268
1998 (Revised)

Shipyard Industry


The informational booklet is intended to provide a generic, nonexhaustive overview of a particular standards-related topic. This publication does not itself alter or determine compliance responsibilities, which are set forth in OSHA standards themselves, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Moreover, because interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, for additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements, the reader should consult current administrative interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and the courts.

Material contained in this publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially, without the permission of the Federal Government. Source credit is requested but not required.

This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice Phone: (202) 219-8615; Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) message referral phone: 1-800-326-2577.
Table of Contents

Foreword

Guidelines for workplace Safety and Health Programs in the Shipyard Industry
Basic elements
Management commitment
Employee participation
Large shipyard
Medium shipyard/large boatyard
Small shipyard or boatyard
Hazard identification, assessment, and control
Accident and incident investigation
Training
Program evaluation
Procedures for multi-employer workplaces
Recordkeeping

Subpart A -- General Provisions
1915.1 Purpose and authority
1915.2 Scope and application
1915.3 Responsibility
1915.4 Definitions
1915.5 Reference specifications, standards and codes
1915.6 Commercial diving operations
1915.7 Competent person

Subpart B -- Confined and Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres
1915.11 Scope and application of subpart
1915.12 Precautions before entering
1915.13 Cleaning and other cold work
1915.14 Hot Work
1915.15 Maintenance of safe conditions
1915.16 Warning signs and labels

Subpart C -- Surface Preparation and Preservation
1915.31 Scope and application of subpart
1915.32 Toxic cleaning solvents
1915.33 Chemical paint and preservative removers
1915.34 Mechanical paint removers
1915.35 Painting
1915.36 Flammable liquids

Subpart D -- Welding, Cutting and Heating
1915.51 Ventilation and protection in welding, cutting and heating
1915.52 Fire prevention
1915.53 Welding, cutting and heating in way of preservative coatings
1915.54 Welding, cutting and heating of hollow metal containers and structures not covered by § 1915.12
1915.55 Gas welding and cutting
1915.56 Arc welding and cutting
1915.57 Uses of fissionable material in ship repairing and shipbuilding

Subpart E -- Scaffolds, Ladders and Other Working Surfaces
1915.71 Scaffolds or staging
1915.72 Ladders
1915.73 Guarding of deck openings and edges
1915.74 Access to vessels
1915.75 Access to and guarding of dry docks and marine railways
1915.76 Access to cargo spaces and confined spaces
1915.77 Working surfaces

Subpart F -- General Working Conditions
1915.91 Housekeeping
1915.92 Illumination
1915.93 Utilities
1915.94 Work in confined or isolated spaces
1915.95 Work on or in the vicinity of radar and radio
1915.96 Work in or on lifeboats
1915.97 Health and sanitation
1915.98 First-aid
1915.100 Retention of DOT markings, placards, and labels

Subpart G -- Gear and Equipment for Rigging and Materials Handling
1915.111 Inspection
1915.112 Ropes, chains, and slings
1915.113 Shackles and hooks
1915.114 Chain falls and pull lifts
1915.115 Hoisting and hauling equipment
1915.116 Use of gear
1915.117 Qualifications of operators
1915.118 Tables

Subpart H -- Tools and Related Equipment
1915.131 General precautions
1915.132 Portable electric tools
1915.133 Hand tools
1915.134 Abrasive wheels
1915.135 Powder actuated fastening tools
1915.136 Internal combustion engines other than ship’s equipment 101

Subpart I -- Personal Protective Equipment
1915.151 Scope, application, and definitions
1915.152 General requirements
1915.153 Eye and face protection
1915.154 Respiratory protection
1915.155 Head protection
1915.156 Foot protection
1915.157 Hand and body protection
1915.158 Lifesaving equipment
1915.159 Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS)
1915.160 Positioning device systems

APPENDIX A TO SUBPART I -- NON-MANDATORY GUIDELINES FOR HAZARD ASSESSMENT, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) SELECTION, AND PPE TRAINING PROGRAM

APPENDIX B TO SUBPART I -- GENERAL TESTING CONDITIONS AND ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS (NON-MANDATORY)

Subpart J -- Ships’ Machinery and Piping Systems
1915.161 Scope and application of subpart
1915.162 Ships’ boilers
1915.163 Ships’ piping systems
1915.164 Ships’ propulsion machinery
1915.165 Ships’ deck machinery

Subpart K -- Portable, Unfired Pressure Vessels, Drums and Containers, Other Than Ship’s Equipment
1915.171 Scope and application of subpart
1915.172 Portable air receivers and other unfired pressure vessels
1915.173 Drums and containers

Subpart L -- Electrical Machinery
1915.181 Electrical circuits and distribution boards

Subpart Z -- Toxic and Hazardous Substances
1915.1000 Air contaminants
1915.1001 Abestos
1915.1002 Coal tar pitch volatiles; interpretation of term
1915.1003 13 carcinogens (4-nitrobiphenyl, etc.)
1915.1004 alpha-Naphthylamine
1915.1006 Methyl chloromethyl ether
1915.1007 3,3' Dichlorobenzidene (and its salts)
1915.1008 bis-Chloromethyl ether
1915.1009 beta-Naphthylamine
1015.1010 Benzidine
1915.1011 4-Aminodiphenyl
1915.1012 Ethyleneimine
1915.1013 beta-Propiolactone
1915.1014 2-Acetylaminofluorene
1915.1015 4-Dimethylaminoazobenzene
1915.1016 N-Nitrosodimethylamine
1915.1017 Vinyl chloride
1915.1018 Inorganic arsenic
1915.1020 Access to employee exposure and medical records
1915.1025 Lead
1915.1027 Cadmium
1915.1028 Benzene
1915.1030 Bloodborne pathogens
1015.1044 1,2 dibromo 3 chloropropane
1915.1045 Acrylonitrile
1915.1047 Etheylene oxide
1915.1048 Formaldehyde
1915.1050 Methylenedianiline
1915.1052 Methylene chloride
1915.1200 Hazard communication
1915.1450 Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories

Other Sources of OSHA Assistance
Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines
State Programs
Free Onsite Consultation
Voluntary Protection Programs
Training and Education
Electronic Information
Emergencies

States with Approved Plans
OSHA Consultation Project Directory
OSHA Area Offices
OSHA Regional Offices

Authority: Sec. 41, 44 Stat. 1444; sec 1, 72 Stat. 835; 33 U.S.C. 941; secs. 6 and 8, 84 Stat 1593, 1599, 1600; 29 U.S.C. 655, 657.

Foreword

This booklet contains all the safety and health standards specific to the Shipyard Industry contained in Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1915, as of July 1, 1994. Also included are brief discussions on the following:

1. The importance of regular employee training to establish and reinforce employee awareness in the areas of job safety and health.

2. The elements of a safety and health program that can be used by employers to develop effective programs at their worksites.

A brief description of the OSHA onsite consultation program available to employers is also included at the end of this publication.

Hazards not covered by Shipyard Industry standards may be covered by General Industry standards contained in 29 CFR Part 1910 (OSHA Subscription Service, Volume 1). Where a hazard is covered by both the Shipyard Industry standards and the General Industry standards, only the Shipyard Industry standard will be cited by OSHA inspectors (described in more detail in 29 CFR 1910.5).

In addition, OSHA regulations regarding general agency practices and procedures are applicable to shipyard employment. Particular attention is directed to the provisions of 29 CFR Part 1904, Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.

There are no geographical limitations to the maritime jurisdiction on shore other than the limitations of theOccupational Safety and Health Act itself. Employees of employers performing maritime activities on the shore, pier, terminal, yard, shipyard, machine shop, riverbank, etc., as well as on the vessels afloat or in drydocks or graving docks, are now covered by the Shipyard standards.

States administering their own occupational safety and health program through plans approved under Section 18(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 must adopt standards and enforce requirements that are at least as effective as Federal requirements. There are currently 25 States and territories with approved State plans: 23 covering private and public sectors and 2 covering State and local government employees only (see list of States at the end of this booklet).

Maritime Coverage Under State Plans

Most states with federally approved safety and health plans have chosen not to extend their coverage to maritime employment. In those jurisdictions, only state and local government maritime workers are covered. Federal OSHA retains responsibility for all other maritime coverage. A few state plans -- California, Minnesota, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington -- include some coverage for private sector onshore maritime workers. For a more detailed summary of maritime coverage under particular state plans, see also Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1952. These regulations and other OSHA information are also available online at www.osha.gov.

Guidelines for Workplace Safety and Health Programs in the Shipyard Industry

Data and studies show that effective management of workplace safety and health can substantially reduce worker deaths, injuries, and illnesses and the costs associated with them. In response, many states have regulations and guidelines on workplace safety and health programs (SHPS). Occupational safety and health organizations and professionals as well as insurance companies also have programs. These programs are called accident prevention programs, injury and illness and prevention programs, and total quality management programs.

This section contains guidelines for establishing an effective program for managing workplace safety and health in the shipyard industry. The Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) for both shipyards (SIC 3731) and boatyards (SIC 3732) developed the guidelines. According to MACOSH, all workplaces in the shipyard industry should have a safety and health program regardless of whether the workplace is large or small or whether the hazards are many or few.

These guidelines for establishing an effective program for managing workplace safety and health apply to shipyards and boatyards.

Basic Elements

The following basic elements are essential for an effective workplace safety and health program:
  • Management Commitment and Leadership
  • Employee Participation
  • Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control
  • Accident and Incident Investigation
  • Training
  • Program Evaluation
  • Recordkeeping
  • Procedures for Multi-Employer Workplaces
A review of SHPs that have been shown to be effective in reducing workplace injuries and illnesses indicates that the basic elements listed are present in some form. The elements are flexible and performance-based so that they can be adapted to the workplace size, conditions, and the nature of the hazards present. Each element is discussed below.

Management Commitment

The employer needs to demonstrate commitment to the workplace safety and health program. There are basic ways in which the employer can show commitment:
  • Establish a workplace policy on safety and health,
  • Define the responsibilities of supervisory and nonsupervisory employees for managing safety and health at the workplace, and
  • Provide appropriate authority and adequate resources to develop and carry out the program.
Management commitment and leadership are widely accepted as preconditions for an effective SHP. An effective SHP is driven from the highest levels of the organization through to front line employees. Such leadership provides the motivating force and sets the tone for the entire program. Only management can assert and continually reaffirm that worker protection is a fundamental value of the organization, on par with other organizational functions such as production. Likewise, only management can assure that the SHP program is integrated into the management structure and fabric of the company. And only management can assure that organizational resources are properly directed to activities that support the SHP.

To demonstrate management commitment, the employer should clearly state a workplace policy on the prevention and control of workplace hazards. Typically, such policies set forth the employer's goals for the SHP, pledge to give the SHP priority with other business goals and activities and establish expectations of managers, supervisors, employees and other persons in working toward the goals of the program.

Some specific ways in which management leadership and commitment to the SHP can be demonstrated are listed below. In small workplaces, employers may carry out these program responsibilities themselves instead of delegating them to other persons in the workplace.
  • Endorsement of the SHP and workplace policy at the very highest levels of management,
  • Clear assignment of responsibilities for the SHP,
  • Provision of authority and adequate monetary and nonmonetary resources to develop, implement and maintain the SHP. Resources include training, equipment and release time to perform their safety and health duties,
  • Establishing accountability for safety and health. For example, effective management of workplace safety and health can be made part of job performance reviews,
  • Regular communication with employees (supervisory, non-supervisory, contract and temporary) about the SHP and workplace safety and health issues. Forms of communication include individual discussions with employees, posted information, distribution of written materials, and "tool box" meetings, and
  • Prompt responses to employee reports and recommendations about safety and health.
Employee Participation

The employer needs to provide opportunities for employees to participate in establishing, implementing, and evaluating the SHP. To be effective an SHP needs the involvement of all persons in the shipyard -- managers, ship superintendents, foremen, crane operators, shipfitters, welders, engineers, maintenance, procurement, health care, and human resource personnel. Employee participation from throughout the workplace is important because often the successful identification, prevention and control of hazards requires a response that cuts across organizational units within a business. Employees should be encouraged to participate in all aspects of the SHP, from developing and planning to implementing and evaluating the program. One of the fundamental aspects of employee participation is establishing a way for employees to make reports. Employees need to feel free to and be encouraged to report work-related injuries, illnesses and hazards as well as make recommendations about appropriate ways to address hazards. Prompt responses to such reports is an essential way employers can show that employee input is desired.

There are many different forms that employee participation can take. Employee participation can be individual and direct such as employee interviews or surveys. At small workplaces, for example, employee involvement may be accomplished by the employer talking to workers during the course of a workplace walkthrough. Other methods of achieving this goal, particularly in small and medium-sized workplaces, include establishing safety stewards, holding frequent safety meetings, and using an employee suggestion system.

In larger businesses, joint labor-management safety and health committees are a commonly-used method with employee representatives selected by the union or elected by employees. The size and make-up of the committee is likely to vary depending on the size of the workplace and the nature of the operations and hazards present.

For example, at many unionized workplaces, employee safety committees work independent of management on various tasks. At other unionized workplaces, nonsupervisory employees participate with management on a central workplace safety and health committee. In addition, at some workplaces employee or joint committees are used for specific purposes, such as inspecting the workplace for hazards, investigating accidents and incidents, and training employees.

Whether the workplace is unionized or not, successful employee participation relies on two things: knowledge and respect. Persons who participate in the program or have workplace safety and health responsibilities need training so they are able to carry out their responsibilities successfully. With regard to respect, at unionized workplaces, it is respect between representatives of organizations. At non-union workplaces, it is respect among individuals.

Large Shipyard

Typically, large shipyards are unionized and tend to use a joint labor-management committee. Management and labor are equally represented on the committee. Usually, the position of committee chair alternates between employee and management representatives. The powers and functions of the committee are established through negotiation. Although the tasks of the committee depend upon the outcome of these negotiations, these committees typically:
  • Review and analyze injury and illness records,
  • Conduct periodic workplace inspections,
  • Conduct job safety/hazard analyses,
  • Conduct accident and incident investigations,
  • Respond to reports of workplace safety and health problems,
  • Develop safe work procedures,
  • Evaluate safety and health training activities, and
  • Evaluate safety and health programs, including the activities and materials.
Medium Shipyard/Large Boatyard

Employee involvement at non-unionized workplaces is likely to be achieved differently from unionized workplaces. In these workplaces employee participation may be less formal than the committee structure. For example, employers may gather employee input through surveys, self audits of jobs, employee meetings, and a reporting and response system. To achieve effective participation in these workplaces, the employer will need to assure that their participation is desired and will be taken seriously. This includes a strong workplace policy that protects employees from discrimination or retaliation when they get involved in safety and health activities. Employees can participate usefully in all facets of the SHP, including:
  • Conducting workplace inspections,
  • Conducting job analyses,
  • Conducting accident investigations, and
  • Training fellow workers.
Small Shipyard or Boatyard

In situations where the workforce is small (10 employees or less), at an isolated location (e.g., sea trials), or shipyard tasks are performed only periodically (e.g., "topside" repairs on a ship being unloaded at a marine terminal), employee involvement may be less formal. For example, employers may get employee input through direct communication about workplace safety and health concerns. "Tool box" and instructional meetings between employees and crew leaders is another way employers can get input from employees. Employee suggestion boxes are yet another way to get employee input. Even though the SHP may be more informal in small workplaces, employers still need to take steps to assure that employees are not inhibited from raising safety and health concerns.

Hazard Identification, Assessment, and Control

The employer's SHP needs to be effective in identifying, assessing, and controlling serious workplace hazards to which employees are reasonably likely to be exposed.

To identify such workplace hazards, the employer should periodically:
  • Physically inspect the workplace,
  • Review available safety and health information, and
  • Evaluate the seriousness of identified hazards that are not covered by OSHA standards.
Once serious workplace hazards are identified and assessed, the employer needs to assure that they are controlled. The process of controlling hazards should include:
  • Timely abatement of unsafe or unhealthy conditions,
  • Interim worker protections where hazards cannot be abated immediately, and
  • Monitoring progress toward complete abatement.
The core function of any workplace SHP is to "find and fix" hazards that endanger employees, and to implement systems that prevent hazards from recurring or being introduced into the workplace. This element of worker protection programs thus has the most immediate and direct effect on injury and illness prevention.

The hazard assessment and control process should address at least "serious hazards," workplace hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. This includes hazards covered by OSHA standards. This also includes all chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic hazards not covered by OSHA standards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical injury or impairment.

Hazard assessment and control needs to be a "systematic process." A systematic process is one where the employer has established activities, procedures or practices to implement or support the basic element. In addition, it means that the program activities are both ongoing and conducted on some routine basis which is appropriate to the particular workplace or the conditions and hazards present.

There are many procedures employers can use to identify and evaluate serious workplace hazards. These include:
  • Reviewing records of injuries and illnesses. A review of OSHA 200 logs can help employers learn what has caused problems in the past and how they can be avoided in the future. Small employers who are not required to keep OSHA 200 logs, should review worker compensation claims.
  • Review other safety and health information. In addition to injury and illness records, the employer may have other information that indicates hazards may be present in the workplace. Such information may include reports from the employer's insurance company, "safety alerts" distributed by trade associations and other organizations of which the employer is a member, accident investigations, infirmary logs, and employee safety and health complaints.
  • Conducting workplace walk-arounds. Looking at the workplace and recording conditions and actions that appear to be hazardous is another useful way to identify hazards. The walk-around should be from one end of the workplace to the other. In addition, following a process from its beginning to end can help an employer identify problems and conditions that warrant closer examination.
  • Using checklists to inspect the workplace. Checklists can be developed based upon common hazards that have occurred or are known to be present in particular operations or processes. Employers also can use checklists developed by their insurance company or trade associations in which they are members.
  • Performing job (or hazard) analyses. This process of breaking a job down into its component steps or work tasks, can help the employer pinpoint what factors may be contributing to the problem. By identifying hazards associated with specific tasks, the employer may be more successful in finding ways to eliminate or control the hazards.
  • Investigating accidents. These investigations can reveal the chain of events or unsafe acts or conditions that led up to the accident.
The assessment and control of hazards are interrelated. Often the assessment process itself will reveal obvious workplace corrections that are needed. Once serious hazards have been identified and analyzed, the employer needs to control them. In workplaces where the hazard assessment indicates quite a few serious hazards are present or may take time to abate, the employer may need to prioritize their control. (Hazards that are the most serious or have already resulted in death, injury or illness should be addressed first.) In such cases, employers need to set timetables for abatement and carefully track their progress in meeting those goals. Employees should be allowed and encouraged to participate in this process.

The best way to control hazards is in the design phase where the employer can make changes that will prevent the hazard from ever being brought into the workplace. As such, the SHP should emphasize "proactive" safety and health. Engineers, maintenance and procurement personnel should be encouraged to work together and with suppliers and manufacturers to anticipate and solve problems at the earliest stages. Smaller businesses should be encouraged to use the resources of trade associations to find new equipment, materials, and processes that will not expose employees to serious hazards.

Where serious hazards are present in the workplace, the employer needs to implement feasible controls to eliminate and or reduce the workplace hazards. In controlling hazards, employers should follow the established hierarchy of controls. The hierarchy of controls is a widely-accepted, tiered intervention strategy for controlling workplace hazards. The three tiers, in order of preferred control methods, are:
  • Engineering and work practice controls. Engineering controls are physical changes to jobs that control exposure to hazards. They include changes to or redesign of workstations, equipment, materials, and processes. Work practices are safe work methods and correct operation of equipment.
  • Administrative controls. Administrative controls are procedures and methods that significantly reduce daily exposure to hazards by altering the way in which work is performed. Administrative controls include job rotation, alternative tasks, redesign of work methods, and rest breaks.
  • Personal protective equipment. PPE are devices worn or used while working to protect the employee from exposure to workplace hazards. PPE includes respirators, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protectors, gloves, and steel-tipped safety shoes.
Accident and Incident Investigation

The employer should promptly investigate workplace fatalities, injuries, illnesses, and potentially hazardous incidents ("near misses"). The Hazard Assessment and Control component of the SHP is primarily a proactive measure; that is, aggressive implementation of this element may mean that the employer is able to identify and control all workplace hazards before any employee has been injured or become ill. At the same time employers should investigate incidents in which an employee is injured, becomes ill, or narrowly escapes death or serious injury. (These incidents are often called "near misses.") Although such investigations are reactive ways to improve workplace safety and health, they are important enough to be considered a basic element of a SHP. This is especially true for smaller workplaces where there may not be significant injury and illness trend data to review. Investigations are warranted for serious incidents; that is, whenever an accident or incident has resulted in death or serious physical harm or created a substantial risk of such occurrence.

A careful and thorough analysis will identify conditions and actions that contributed to or led up to the incident. Once the causal factors are revealed, the employer can make the necessary corrections to prevent recurrence.The most successful investigations involve various persons in the organizational structure. In smaller workplaces, supervisors and employees working in the job in question can provide valuable insight. In larger workplaces, safety and health specialists, specially trained employees and supervisors, members of safety and health committees, engineers, and maintenance are examples of persons who should be involved in evaluating accidents and "near misses." Regardless of the size of the workplace, the guiding principle is that investigations should be promptly performed and the findings should be accompanied by appropriate corrections and program changes in order to prevent a further occurrence.

Training

The employer needs to ensure that each employee who is exposed to a serious hazard is provided with effective training. In addition, the employer needs to ensure that all employees, both supervisory and nonsupervisory, who are responsible for the SHP are provided with training so they are able to carry out their responsibilities.

Employees who are exposed to serious hazards must be trained so that they are able to assist in protecting themselves and other employees. While many OSHA standards do set forth training requirements, it is important that employees who are exposed to serious hazards for which there are no standards or no training requirements are provided with training. This is not to suggest that a SHP should duplicate or substitute for current OSHA training requirements. Rather that SHP training is meant to generally educate employees about workplace hazard awareness and prevention.

Effective training is not "one size fits all." The ways and mechanisms employers use to provide training are likely to vary significantly depending on factors such as workplace size, the type of operations being performed, and the nature of the workplace hazards. Therefore, it's not feasible that general SHP guidelines should or could specify the number of hours, frequency or format training should take. In fact, elaborate or formal training programs solely related to safety and health may not always be required. Some employers may develop and provide their own training while other employers may rely on contractors or organizations to train their employees. Some employers may utilize formal classroom training every year while other employees rely on regular "tool box" meetings for safety and health information. Some employers may provide specific safety and health training while other employers integrate safety and health issues into other employee training sessions. A key to effective training is integrating safety and health issues into all organizational activities. Safety and health training is often most effective when incorporated into other training such as training on job performance requirements and job practices.

While training needs to be appropriate to the safety and health conditions of the workplace, there are fundamental topics that safety and health training should cover:
  • The nature of the hazards to which the employee is exposed and how to recognize them,
  • What the employer is doing to control these hazards,
  • Protective measures that the employee needs to follow to prevent or minimize exposure to these hazards,
  • Procedures to be followed in an emergency,
  • The employer's safety and health program, and
  • The employee's role in that program, including opportunities to participate in it.
For training to be effective it needs to be provided in a manner that employees are able to understand. This means that the employer, in developing and providing training, needs to consider the educational levels, literacy and language skills of the employees. Training should also provide employees with an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers about safety and health issues.

Once an employer has established a SHP, employees should be trained. However, effective SHPs do not stop with initial training of current employees and as new employees are hired. Rather, SHPs should include continuing education on both a routine and as-needed basis. Also, training and training materials should be evaluated to ensure that they are effective in providing employees with information necessary to protect them from injury and illness.

In addition to general awareness training, it is important that both supervisory and non-supervisory employees who are responsible for the SHP receive sufficient training to enable them to carry out their program responsibilities. Such training should at least cover hazard identification methods, job analysis methods, control implementation and evaluation, and problem solving.

Program Evaluation

The employer needs to evaluate the SHP to ensure that it is effective in identifying and controlling serious hazards, and appropriate for workplace conditions. Where significant deficiencies are found, the program should be corrected or updated in a timely manner.

Every SHP needs to be evaluated periodically in order to ensure that it is effective in preventing and reducing workplace injuries and illnesses. While it is possible that the evaluation process is likely to differ among employers, the evaluation should demonstrate that specific consideration is given to the following:
  • Assessing the need and appropriateness of existing goals and objectives; and
  • Identifying areas where the program needs to be adjusted.
There are many different measures that employers can use to document program effectiveness. Some examples of commonly-used measures include:
  • Analysis of injury and illness statistics. This could include analysis of company as well as industry-wide statistics on number of cases, incidence rates, and lost-workdays,
  • Review of company safety committee reports and recommendations. This could include a review of the number of reports and response time,
  • Analysis of insurance and workers' compensation data. This could include analysis of the number of claims, costs per claim, total medical costs, worker compensation experience modifiers, and insurance premiums,
  • Analysis of productivity. This could include a review of total production outputs and reject rates.
Maintaining an effective SHP is an ongoing process. Therefore, the employer needs to evaluate the program periodically. The frequency of program evaluation is likely to vary based on factors such as workplace size and conditions. However, employers should at least evaluate the program shortly after controls are implemented and thereafter at some regular interval that is appropriate to the workplace. For many employers, program evaluation is normally conducted on an annual basis that is consistent with other aspects of the employer's overall management or fiscal plan. Where the evaluation reveals significant deficiencies or indicates improvements in worker safety and health are not occurring, it is important that the employer make necessary changes in the program to correct or update the problems.

Procedures for Multi-Employer Workplaces

At multi-employer workplaces, host and contract employers should exchange available information on workplace hazards, safety rules, and emergency procedures with any other employer whose employees also may be exposed to those hazards. This exchange of information should address the reasonable allocation of workplace safety and health responsibilities among the employers.

Host employers (e.g., general contractors) should inform the contract employers (e.g., subcontractors) of any known safety and health hazards to which the contract employees may be exposed prior to starting any work. The host employer also should inform contract employers of applicable provisions of the host employer's SHP.

Contract employers should ensure that host employers are aware of hazards presented by contract work and how contract employers are addressing them. Contract employers also should instruct their employees about the hazards to which they may be exposed at the multi-employer workplace and the host employer's program for addressing those hazards.

In an increasing number of maritime workplaces, there are multiple employers. The presence of multiple employers introduces additional problems and complexities in the communication and coordination of worker safety and health. There needs to be two-way communication between host and contract employers as well as reasonable allocation of workplace safety and health responsibilities among these employers that takes account of this added complexity. Generally, the host employer is in the best position to ensure that communication and coordination of workplace safety and health is taking place. This is because the host employer often controls the means and methods of work. However, contract employers also have a role in workplace safety and health. Contract employers may also introduce hazards into the workplace that could endanger host employees. Also, contract employers may discover previously unidentified hazards. In such cases, it is important that the contract employer advise the host employer so no person at the workplace, regardless of which employer they work for, gets injured or becomes ill.

Recordkeeping

The employer should maintain records in order to be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the SHP. Employers need to maintain enough records that will allow them to know what hazards need to be controlled and to evaluate the effectiveness of the SHP in reducing deaths, injuries and illnesses. For example, reviewing workplace injury experience over a period of time may reveal patterns of injury with common causes which can be addressed.

Using baseline data and yearly updates will also allow the employer to evaluate whether the program has been successful in addressing workplace hazards. Various factors determine what records an employer needs to maintain. More specifically, recordkeeping may be very informal or unnecessary for smaller workplaces or workplaces where very few hazards are present. For example, in a small workplace the employer's notes from a workplace "walkaround" may be the extent of the program records. On the other hand, larger workplaces or workplaces with safety and health committees may maintain detailed records on various aspects of the program such as inspection and accident investigation records and reports, job checklist and employee survey results, and even committee meetings. Examples of some records that employers typically maintain on workplace safety and health include:
  • First reports of injury,
  • OSHA 200 logs,
  • Safety and health committee reports,
  • Accident and "near miss" investigations, and
  • Job/hazard analyses.
Subpart A -- General Provisions

§1915.1 -- Purpose and Authority

The provisions in this part constitute safety and health regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to section 41 of the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 941) and occupational safety and health standards issued by the Secretary pursuant to section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 655).

§1915.2 -- Scope and Application
  1. Except where otherwise provided, the provisions of this part shall apply to all ship repairing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking employment and related employment.

  2. This part does not apply to matters under the control of the United States Coast Guard within the scope of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes and acts supplementary or amendatory thereto (46 U.S.C. secs. 1-1388 passim) including, but not restricted to, the master, ship's officer, crew members, design, construction and maintenance of the vessel, its gear and equipment; to matters within the regulatory authority of the United States Coast Guard to safeguard vessels, harbors, ports and waterfront facilities under the provisions of the Espionage Act of June 17 1917, as amended (50
U.S.C. 191 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 401 et seq.); including the provisions of Executive Order 10173, as amended by Executive Orders 10277 and 10352 (3 CFR, 1949-1953 Comp., pp. 356, 778 and 873); or to matters within the regulatory authority of the United States Coast Guard with respect to lights, warning devices, safety equipment and other matters relating to the promotion of safety of lives and property under section 4(e) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1333).

§1915.3 -- Responsibility
  1. The responsibility for compliance with the regulations of this part is placed upon "employers" as defined in § 1915.4

  2. This part does not apply to owners, operators, agents or masters of vessels unless such persons are acting as "employers." However, this part is not intended to relieve owners, operators, agents or masters of vessels who are not "employers" from responsibilities or duties now placed upon them by law, regulation or custom.

  3. The responsibilities placed upon the competent person herein shall be deemed to be the responsibilities of the employer.
§ 1915.4 -- Definitions
  1. The term "shall" indicates provisions which are mandatory.

  2. The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Labor.

  3. The term "employer" means an employer, any of whose employees are employed, in whole or in part, in ship repairing, shipbuilding, shipbreaking or related employments as defined in this section on the navigable waters of the United States, including dry docks, graving docks and marine railways.

  4. The term "employee" means any person engaged in ship repairing, shipbuilding, shipbreaking or related employments on the navigable waters of the United States, including dry docks, graving docks and marine railways, other than the master, ship's officers, crew of the vessel, or any person engaged by the master to repair any vessel under 18 net tons.

  5. The term "gangway" means any ramp-like or stair-like means of access provided to enable personnel to board or leave a vessel including accommodation ladders, gangplanks and brows.

  6. The term "vessel" includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water, including special purpose floating structures not primarily designed for or used as a means of transportation on water.

  7. For purposes of § 1915.74, the term "barge" means an unpowered, flat bottom, shallow draft vessel including scows, carfloats and lighters. For purposes of this section the term does not include ship shaped or deep draft barges.

  8. For purposes of § 1915.74, the term "river tow boat" means a shallow draft, low free board, self-propelled vessel designed to tow river barges by pushing ahead. For purposes of this section, the term does not include other towing vessels.

  9. The term "shipyard employment" means ship repairing, shipbuilding, shipbreaking and related employments.

  10. The terms "ship repair" and "ship repairing" mean any repair of a vessel including, but not restricted to, alterations, conversions, installation, cleaning, painting, and maintenance work.

  11. The term "shipbuilding" means the construction of a vessel, including the installation of machinery and equipment.

  12. The term "shipbreaking" means any breaking down of a vessel's structure for the purpose of scrapping the vessel, including the removal of gear. equipment or any component part of a vessel.

  13. The term "related employment" means any employment performed as an incident to or in conjunction with ship repairing, shipbuilding or shipbreaking work, including, but not restricted to, inspection, testing, and employment as a watchman.

  14. The term "hazardous substance" means a substance which by reason of being explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, irritant, or otherwise harmful is likely to cause injury.

  15. The term "competent person" for purposes of this part means a person who is capable of recognizing and evaluating employee exposure to hazardous substances or to other unsafe conditions and is capable of specifying the necessary protection and precautions to be taken to ensure the safety of employees as required by the particular regulation under the condition to which it applies. For the purposes of Subparts B, C, and D of this part, except for § 1915.35(b)(8) and § 1915.36(a)(5), to which the above definition applies, the competent person must also meet the additional requirements of § 1915.7.

  16. The term "confined space" means a compartment of small size and limited access such as a double bottom tank, cofferdam, or other space which by its small size and confined nature can readily create or aggravate a hazardous exposure.

  17. The term "enclosed space" means any space, other than a confined space, which is enclosed by bulkheads and overhead. It includes cargo holds, tanks, quarters, and machinery and boiler spaces.

  18. The term "hot work" means riveting, welding, burning or other fire or spark producing operations.

  19. The term "cold work" means any work which does not involve riveting, welding, burning or other fire or spark producing operations.

  20. The term "portable unfired pressure vessel" means any pressure container or vessel used aboard ship, other than the ship's equipment, containing liquids or gases under pressure, excepting pressure vessels built to ICC regulations under 49 CFR Part 178, Subparts C and H.

  21. The term "powder actuated fastening tool" means a tool or machine which drives a stud, pin, or fastener by means of an explosive charge.

  22. For purposes of § 1915.97, the term "hazardous material" means a material which has one or more of the following characteristics: (1) Has a flash point below 140° F., closed cup, or is subject to spontaneous heating;

  23. has a threshold limit value below 500 p.p.m. in the case of a gas or vapor, below 500 mg./m3 for fumes, and below 25 m.p.p.c.f. in case of a dust; (3) has a single dose oral LD50 below 500 mg./kg.; (4) is subject to polymerization with the release of large amounts of energy; (5) is a strong oxidizing or reducing agent; (6) causes first degree burns to skin in short time exposure, or is systemically toxic by skin contact; or (7) in the course of normal operations, may produce dusts, gases, fumes, vapors, mists, or smokes which have one or more of the above characteristics.

§ 1915.5 -- Reference Specifications, Standards and Codes

Specifications, standards, and codes of agencies of the U.S. Government, to the extent specified in the text, form a part of the regulations of this part. In addition, under the authority vested in the Secretary under the Act, the specifications, standards, and codes of organizations which are not agencies of the U.S. Government, in effect on the date of the promulgation of the regulations of this part as listed below, to the extent specified in the text, form a part of the regulations of this part.

National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269. Subpart B, § 1915.14(a).

Underwriter's Laboratories, Inc., 207 East Ohio Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, Subpart B, § 1915.13(b) and (f); Subpart C, §§ 1915.35(b)(7), 1915.36(a)(4); Subpart H, § 1915.132(a).

American National Standards Institute Safety Code for Portable Wood Ladders, A14.1-1959, American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036, Subpart E. § 1915.72(a)(6).

American National Standards Institute Safety Code for Portable Metal Ladders, A14.2-1956, American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036, Subpart E. § 1915.72(a)(4).

American National Standards Institute Safety Code for Head, Eye, and Respiratory Protection, Z2.1-1959, American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036, Subpart 1, §§ 1915.151(a)(1). 1915.153(b).

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section Vlll, Rules for Construction of Unfired Pressure Vessels, 1963, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 East 47th Street, New York, New York 10017. Subpart K, § 1915.172(a).

Threshold Limit Values, 1970, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1014 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, Subpart B, § 1915.12(a)(3) and (b)(3); Subpart C, § 1915.32(b).

American National Standards Institute Safety Code for the Use, Care, and Protection of Abrasive Wheels, B7. 11964, United States of America Standards Institute, Inc., 11 West 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036, Subpart H, § 1915.134(c).

§1915.6 -- Commercial Diving Operations

Commercial diving operations shall be subject to Subpart T of Part 1910, §§ 1910.401-1910.441 of this chapter.

§1915.7 Competent person.
  1. Application. This section applies to shipyard employment.

  2. Designation. (1) One or more competent persons shall be designated by the employer in accordance with the applicable requirements of this section, unless the requirements of Subparts B, C, D and H of this part are always carried out by a Marine Chemist. Exception: The employer may designate any person who meets the applicable portions of the criteria set forth in paragraph (c) of this section as a competent person who is limited to performing testing to the following situations:

    1. Repair work on small craft in boat yards where only combustible gas indicator tests are required for fuel tank leaks or when using flammable paints below decks;

    2. Building of wooden vessels where, only knowledge of the precautions to be taken when using-flammable paints is required;

    3. The breaking of vessels where there is no fuel oil or other flammable hazard; and

    4. Tests and inspections performed to comply with §§ 1915.35(b)(8) and 1915.36(a)(5).
    (2)(i) The employer shall maintain either a roster of designated competent persons or a statement that a Marine Chemist will perform the tests or inspections which require a competent person.

    (ii) The employer shall make the roster of designated persons or the statement available to employees, the employee's representative, the Director or the Assistant Secretary upon request.

    (iii) The roster shall contain, as a minimum, the following:

    1. The employer's name,

    2. The designated competent person's name(s), and

    3. The date the employee was trained as a competent person.
  3. Criteria. The employer shall ensure that each designated competent person has the following skills and knowledge:

    1. Ability to understand and carry out written or oral information or instructions left by Marine Chemist, Coast Guard authorized persons and Certified Industrial Hygienists; and

    2. Knowledge of Subparts B, C, D, and H of this part;

    3. Knowledge of the structure, location, and designation of spaces where work is done;

    4. Ability to calibrate and use testing equipment including but not limited to: oxygen indicators, combustible gas indicators, carbon monoxide indicators, and carbon dioxide indicators, and to interpret accurately the test results of that equipment;

    5. Ability to perform all required tests and inspections which are or may be performed by a, competent person as set forth in Subparts B, C, D, and H of this part.

    6. Ability to inspect, test, and evaluate spaces to determine the need for further testing by a Certified Industrial Hygienist; and

    7. Ability to maintain records required by this section.
  4. Recordkeeping. (1) When tests and inspections are performed by a competent person, Marine Chemist, or Certified Industrial Hygienist as required by any provisions of subparts B, C, D, or H of this part, the employer shall ensure that the person performing the test and inspection records the location of inspected spaces and the operations performed as well as the test results and any instructions.

    (2)The employer shall ensure that the records are posted in the immediate vicinity of the affected operations while work in the spaces is in progress. The records shall be kept on file for a period of at least three months from the completion date of the specific job for which they were generated.

    (3)The employer shall ensure that the records are available for inspection by the Assistant Secretary, Director, and employees and their representatives.
Subpart B -- Confined and Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres in Shipyard Employment

Appendix A to Subpart B -- Compliance Assistance Guidelines for Confined and Enclosed Spaces Other Dangerous Atmospheres

Appendix B to Subpart B -- Reprint of U.S. Coast Guard Regulations Referenced in Subpart, for Determination of Coast Guard Authorized Persons

§1915.11 Scope application and definitions applicable to this Subpart.
  1. Scope and application. This Subpart applies to work in confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous atmospheres in shipyard employment including vessel sections and landside operations regardless of geographic locations.

  2. Definitions applicable to this subpart.
Adjacent spaces means those spaces bordering a subject space in all directions, including all points of contact, corners, diagonals, decks, tank tops, and bulkheads.

Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health or designated representative.

Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) means an industrial hygienist who is certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.

Coast Guard authorized person means an individual who meets the requirements of Appendix B to subpart B of part 1915 for tank vessels, for passenger vessels, and for cargo and miscellaneous vessels.

Dangerous atmospheres means an atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (i.e. escape unaided from a confined or enclosed space), injury, or acute illness.

Director means the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or designated representative.

Enter with Restrictions denotes a space where entry for work is permitted only if engineering controls, personal protective equipment, clothing, and time limitations are as specified by the Marine Chemist, Certified Industrial Hygienist, or the shipyard competent person.

Entry means the action by which a person passes through an opening into a space. Entry includes ensuing work activities in that space and is considered to have occurred as soon as any part of the entrant's body breaks the plane of an opening into the space.

Hot work means any activity involving riveting, welding, burning, the use of powder-actuated tools or similar fire-producing operations. Grinding, drilling, abrasive blasting or similar spark-producing operations are also considered hot work except when such operations are isolated physically from any atmosphere containing more than 10 per cent of the lower explosive limit of a flammable or combustible substance.

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) means an atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life or that is likely to result in acute or immediate severe health effects.

Inert or inerted atmosphere means an atmospheric condition where:
  1. The oxygen content of the atmosphere in the space is maintained at a level equal to or less than 8.0 per cent by volume or at a level at or below 50 per cent of the amount required to support combustion, whichever is less, or

  2. The space is flooded with water and the vapor concentration of flammable or combustible materials in the free space atmosphere above the water line is less than 10 per cent of the lower explosive limit for the flammable or combustible material.
Labeled means identified with a sign, placard, or other form of written communication, including pictograms, that provide information on the status or condition of the work space to which it is attached.

Lower explosion limit (LEL) means the minimum concentration of vapor in air below which propagation of a flame does not occur in the presence of an ignition source.

Marine Chemist means an individual who possesses acurrent Marine Chemist Certificate issued by the National Fire Protection Association.

Not Safe for Hot Work denotes a space where hot work may not be performed because the conditions do not meet the criteria for Safe Hot Work.

Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) means an organization recognized by OSHA in accordance with Appendix A of 29 CFR 1910.7 which tests for safety and lists or labels or accepts equipment and materials that meet all the criteria found in § 1910.7(b)(1) through (b)(4)(ii).

Not Safe for Workers denotes a space where an employee may not enter because the conditions do not meet the criteria for Safe for Workers.

Oxygen-deficient atmosphere means an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of less than 19.5 percent by volume.

Oxygen-enriched atmosphere means an atmosphere that contains 22.0 percent or more oxygen by volume.

Safe for Hot Work denotes a space that meets all of the following criteria:
  1. The oxygen content of the atmosphere does not exceed 22.0 percent by volume;

  2. The concentration of flammable vapors in the atmosphere is less than 10 percent of the lower explosive limit;

  3. The residues or materials in the space are not capable of producing a higher concentration than permitted in paragraph (1) or (2) of the above, under existing atmospheric conditions in the presence of hot work and while maintained as directed by the Marine Chemist or competent person, and

  4. All adjacent spaces have been cleaned, or inerted, or treated sufficiently to prevent the spread of fire.
Labeled means identified with a sign, placard, or other form of written communication, including pictograms, that provide information on the status or condition of the work space to which it is attached.

Safe for Workers denotes a space that meets the following criteria:
  1. The oxygen content of the atmosphere is at least 19.5 percent and below 22 percent by volume;

  2. The concentration of flammable vapors is below 10 per cent of the lower explosive limit (LEL);

  3. Any toxic materials in the atmosphere associated with cargo, fuel, tank coating, or inerting media are within permissible concentrations at the time of the inspection; and

  4. Any residues or materials associated with the work authorized by the Marine Chemist, Certified Industrial Hygienist, or competent person will not produce uncontrolled release of toxic materials under existing atmospheric conditions while maintained as directed.
Space means an area on a vessel or vessel section within a shipyard such as, but not limited to: cargo tanks or holds; pump or engine rooms; storage lockers; tanks containing flammable or combustible liquids, gases, or solids; rooms within buildings, crawl spaces; tunnels; or accessways. The atmosphere within a space is the entire area within its bounds.

Upper explosive limit (UEL) means the maximum concentration of flammable vapor in air above which propagation of flame does not occur on contact with a source of ignition.

Vessel section means a sub-assembly, module, or other component of a vessel being built, repaired, or broken.

Visual inspection means the physical survey of the space, its surroundings and contents to identify hazards such as, but not limited to, restricted accessibility, residues, unguarded machinery, and piping or electrical systems.

§1915.12 Precautions before entering confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous atmospheres.
  1. Oxygen content.(1)

    1. The employer shall ensure that the following spaces are visually inspected and tested by a competent person to determine the atmosphere's oxygen content prior to initial entry into the space by an employee:

      1. Spaces that have been sealed, such as, but not limited to, spaces that have been coated and closed up, and non-ventilated spaces that have been freshly painted;

      2. Spaces and adjacent spaces that contain or have contained combustible or flammable liquids or gases;

      3. Spaces and adjacent spaces that contain or have contained liquids, gases, or solids that are toxic, corrosive, or irritant;

      4. Spaces and adjacent spaces that have been fumigated; and

      5. Spaces containing materials or residues of materials that create an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
    2. If the space to be entered contains an oxygen deficient atmosphere, the space shall be labeled "Not Safe for Workers' or, if oxygen-enriched, "Not Safe for Workers -- Not safe for Hot Work." If an oxygen-deficient or oxygen-enriched atmosphere is found, ventilation shall be provided at volumes and flow rates sufficient to ensure that the oxygen content is maintained at or above 19.5 percent and below 22.0 percent by volume. The warning label may be removed when the oxygen content is equal to or greater than 19.5 percent and less than 22.0 percent by volume.

    3. An employee may not enter a space where the oxygen content, by volume, is below 19.5 percent or above 22.0 percent. Exception: An employee may enter for emergency rescue or for a short duration for installation of ventilation equipment necessary to start work in the space provided:

      1. The atmosphere in the space is monitored for oxygen content, by volume, continuously; and

      2. Respiratory protection and other appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing are provided in accordance with Subpart I of this part.
  2. Flammable atmospheres.(2)

    1. the employer shall ensure that spaces and adjacent spaces that contain or have contained combustible or flammable liquids or gases are:

      1. Inspected visually by the competent person to determine the presence of combustible or flammable liquids; and

      2. Tested by a competent person prior to entry by an employee to determine the concentration of flammable vapors and gases within the space.
    2. If the concentration of flammable vapors or gases in the space to be entered is equal to or greater than 10 per cent of the lower explosive limit, the space shall be labeled "Not Safe for Workers" and "Not Safe for Hot Work." Ventilation shall be provided at volumes and flow rates sufficient to ensure that the concentration of flammable vapors is maintained below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit. The warning labels may be removed when the concentration of flammable vapors is below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit.

    3. An employee may not enter a space where the concentration of flammable vapors or gases is equal to or greater than 10 percent of the lower explosive limit. Exception: An employee may enter for emergency rescue or for a short duration for installation of ventilation equipment necessary to start work in the space, provided:

      1. No ignition sources are present;

      2. The atmosphere in the space is maintained above the upper explosive limit;

      3. The atmosphere in the space is maintained above the upper explosive limit; and

      4. respiratory protection and other appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing are provided in accordance with Subpart I of this part.

  3. Toxic, corrosive, irritant or fumigated atmospheres and residues.(3)

    1. The employer shall ensure that spaces or adjacent spaces that contain or have contained liquids, gases, or solids that are toxic, corrosive or irritant are:

      1. Inspected visually by the competent person to determine the presence of toxic, corrosive, or irritant residue contaminants; and

      2. Tested by a competent person prior to initial entry by an employee to determine the air concentration of toxics, corrosives, or irritants within the space.
    2. If a space contains an air concentration of a material which exceeds a part 1915 subpart Z permissible exposure limit (PEL) or is IDLH, the space shall be labeled "Not Safe for Workers." Ventilation shall be provided at volumes and flow rates which will ensure that air concentrations are maintained within the PEL or, in the case of contaminants for which there is no established PEL, below the IDLH. The warning label may be removed when the concentration of contaminants is maintained within the PEL or below IDLH level.

    3. If a space cannot be ventilated to within the PELs or is IDLH, a Marine Chemist or CIH must re-test until the space can be certified "Enter With Restrictions" or "Safe for Workers."

    4. An employee may not enter a space whose atmosphere exceeds a PEL or is IDLH. Exception: An employee may enter for emergency rescue, or for a short duration for installation of ventilation equipment provided;

      1. The atmosphere in the space is monitored continuously;

      2. Respiratory protection and other necessary and appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing are provided in accordance with Subpart I of this part.
  4. Training of employees entering confined and enclosed spaces or other dangerous atmospheres.

    1. The employer shall ensure that each employee that enters a confined or enclosed space and other areas with dangerous atmospheres is trained to perform all required duties safely.

    2. The employer shall ensure that each employee who enters a confined space, enclosed space, or other areas with dangerous atmospheres is trained to:

      1. Recognize the characteristics of the confined space;

      2. Anticipate and be aware of the hazards that may be faced during entry;

      3. Recognize the adverse health effects that may be caused by the exposure to a hazard;

      4. Understand the physical signs and reactions related to exposures to such hazards;

      5. Know what personal protective equipment is needed for safe entry into and exit from the space;

      6. Use personal protective equipment; and

      7. Where necessary, be aware of the presence and proper use of barriers that may be needed to protect an entrant from hazards.
    3. The employer shall ensure that each entrant into confined or enclosed spaces or other dangerous atmospheres is trained to exit the space or dangerous atmosphere whenever:

      1. The employer or his or her representative orders evacuation;

      2. An evacuation signal such as an alarm is activated; or

      3. The entrant perceives that he or she is in danger.
    4. The employer shall provide each employee with training:

      1. Before the entrant begins work addressed by this section; and

      2. Whenever there is a change in operation or in an employee's duties that present a hazard about which the employee has not previously been trained.
    5. The employer shall certify that the training required by paragraphs (d)(1) through (d(4) of this section has been accomplished.

      1. The certification shall contain the employee's name, the name of the certifier, and the date(s) of the certification.

      2. The certification shall be available for inspection by the Assistant Secretary, the Director, employees, and their representatives.
  5. Rescue teams.(4) The employer shall either establish a shipyard rescue team or arrange for an outside rescue team which will respond promptly to a request for rescue service.

    1. Shipyard rescue teams shall meet the following criteria:

      1. Each employee assigned to the shipyard team shall be provided with and trained to use the personal protective equipment he or she will need, including respirators and any rescue equipment necessary for making rescues from confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous atmospheres.

      2. Each employee assigned to the shipyard rescue team shall be trained to perform his or her rescue functions including confined and enclosed and other dangerous atmosphere entry.

      3. Shipyard rescue teams shall practice their skills at least once every 12 months. Practice drills shall include the use of mannequins and rescue equipment during simulated rescue operations involving physical facilities that approximate closely those facilities from which rescue may be needed.(5)

      4. At least one person on each rescue team shall maintain current certification in basic first aid which includes maintenance of an airway, control of bleeding, maintenance of circulation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills.
    2. The employer shall inform outside rescue teams of the hazards that the team may encounter when called to perform confined and enclosed space or other dangerous atmosphere rescue at the employer's facility so that the rescue team can be trained and equipped.

  6. Exchanging hazard information between employers. Each employer whose employees work in confined and enclosedspaces or other dangerous atmospheres shall ensure that all available information on the hazards, safety rules, and emergency procedures concerning those spaces and atmospheres is exchanged with any other employer whose employees may enter the same spaces.
§1915.13 Cleaning and Other Cold Work
  1. Locations covered by this section.The employer shall ensure that manual cleaning and other cold work are not performed in the following spaces unless the conditions of paragraph (b) of this section have been met:

    1. Spaces containing or having last contained bulk quantities of combustible of flammable liquids or gases; and

    2. Spaces containing or having last contained bulk quantities of liquids, gases or solids that are toxic, corrosive or irritating.
  2. Requirements for performing cleaning or cold work.(6)

    1. Liquid residues of hazardous materials shall be removed from work spaces as thoroughly as practicable before employees start cleaning operations of cold work in a space. Special care shall be taken to prevent the spilling or the draining of these materials into the water surrounding the vessel or, for shore-side operations, onto the surrounding work area.

    2. Testing shall be conducted by a competent person to determine the concentration of flammable, combustible, toxic, corrosive, or irritant vapors within the space prior to the beginning of cleaning or cold work.

    3. Continuous ventilation shall be provided at volumes and flow rates sufficient to ensure that the concentration(s) of:

      1. Flammable vapor is maintained below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit;(7) and

      2. Toxic, corrosive, or irritant vapors are maintained within the permissible exposure limits and below IDLH levels.
    4. Testing shall be conducted by the competent person as often as necessary during cleaning or cold work to assure that air concentrations are below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit and within the PELs and below IDLH levels. Factors such as, but not limited to, temperature, volatility of the residues and other existing conditions in and about the spaces are to be considered in determining the frequency of testing necessary to assure a safe atmosphere.

    5. Spills or other releases of flammable, combustible toxic, corrosive, and irritant materials shall be cleaned up as work progresses.

    6. (8)An employee may not enter a confined or enclosed space or other dangerous atmosphere if the concentration of flammable or combustible vapors in work spaces exceeds 10 percent of the lower explosive limit. Exception: An employee may enter for emergency rescue or for a short duration for installation of ventilation equipment provided:

      1. No ignition sources are present;

      2. The atmosphere in the space is monitored continuously;

      3. The atmosphere in the space is maintained above the upper explosive limit; and

      4. Respiratory protection, personal protective equipment, and clothing are provided in accordance with subpart I of this part.

    7. A competent person shall test ventilation discharge areas and other areas where discharged vapors may collect to determine if vapors discharged from the spaces being ventilated are accumulating in concentrations hazardous to employees.

    8. If the tests required in paragraph (b)(7) of this section indicate that concentrations of exhaust vapors that are hazardous to employees are accumulating, all work in the contaminated area shall be stopped until the vapors have dissipated or been removed.

    9. Only explosion-proof, self-contained portable lamps, or other electric equipment approved by a National Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) for the hazardous location shall be used in spaces described in paragraph (a) of this section until such spaces have been certified as "Safe for Workers."(9)
    10. The employer shall prominently post signs that prohibit sources of ignition within or near a space that has contained flammable or combustible liquids or gases in bulk quantities:

      1. At the entrance to those spaces;

      2. In adjacent spaces; and

      3. In the open area adjacent to shose spaces.

    11. All air moving equipment and its component parts, including duct work, capable of generating a static electric discharge of sufficient energy to create a source of ignition, shall be bonded electrically to the structure of a vessel or vessel section or, in the case of landside spaces, grounded to prevent an electric discharge in the space.

    12. Fans shall have non-sparking blades and portable air ducts shall be of non-sparking materials.
§1915.14 Hot work.

  1. Hot work requiring testing by a Marine Chemist or Coast Guard authorized person.(10)

    1. The employer shall ensure that hot work is not performed in or on any of the following confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous atmospheres, boundaries of spaces or pipelines until the work area has been tested and certified by a Marine Chemist or a U.S. Coast Guard authorized person as "Safe for Hot Work":

      1. Within, on, or immediately adjacent to spaces that contain or have contained combustible or flammable liquids or gases.

      2. Within, on, or immediately adjacent to fuel tanks that contain or have last contained fuel; and

      3. On pipelines, heating coils, pump fittings or other accessories connected to spaces that contain or have last contained fuel. Exception: Within spaces adjacent to spaces in which the flammable gases or liquids have a flash point below 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65.6 degrees Centigrade) and the distance between such spaces and the work is greater than 25 feet (7.5 meters).

    2. The certificate issued by the Marine Chemist or Coast Guard authorized person shall be posted in the immediate vicinity of the affected operations while they are in progress and kept on file for a period of at least three months from the date of the completion of the operation for which the certificate was generated.
  2. Hot work requiring testing by a competent person.

    1. Hot work is not permitted in or on the following spaces or adjacent spaces or other dangerous atmospheres until they have been tested by a competent person and determined tocontain no concentrations of flammable vapors equal to or greater than 10 percent of the lower explosive limit:

      1. Dry cargo holds,

      2. The bilges,

      3. The engine room and boiler spaces for which a Marine Chemist or a Coast Guard authorized person certificate is not required under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section:

      4. Vessels and vessel sections for which a Marine Chemist or Coast Guard authorized person certificate is not required under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, and

      5. Landside confined and enclosed spaces or other dangerous atmospheres not covered by paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

    2. If the concentration of flammable vapors or gases is equal to or greater than 10 percent of the lower explosive limit in the space or an adjacent space where the hot work is to be done, then the space shall be labeled ‘Not Safe for Hot Work" and ventilation shall be provided at volumes and flow rates sufficient to ensure that the concentration of flammable vapors or gases is below 10 percent by volume of the lower explosive limit. The warning label may be removed when the concentration of flammable vapors and gases are below the 10 percent lower explosive limit.

§1915.15 Maintenance of safe conditions.

  1. Preventing hazardous materials from entering. Pipelines that could carry hazardous materials into spaces that have been certified "Safe for Workers" or "Safe for Hot Work" shall be disconnected, blanked out, or otherwise blocked by a positive method to prevent hazardous materials from being discharged into the space.

  2. Alteration of existing conditions. When a change that could alter conditions within a tested confined or enclosed space or other dangerous atmosphere occurs, work in the affected space or area shall be stopped. Work may not be resumed until the affected space or area is visually inspected and retested and found to comply with 1915.12, 1915.13, and 1915.14 of this part as applicable.(11)

  3. Tests to maintain the conditions of a Marine Chemist's or Coast Guard authorized person's certificates.A competent person shall visually inspect and test each space certified as "Safe for Workers" or "Safe for Hot Work" as often as necessary to ensure that atmospheric conditions within that space are maintained within the conditions established by the certificate after the certificate has been issued.

  4. Change in the conditions of a Marine Chemist's or Coast Guard authorized person's certificate. If a competent person finds that the atmospheric conditions within a certified space fail to meet the applicable requirements of 1915.12, 1915.13, and 1915.14 of this part, work in the certified space shall be stopped and may not be resumed until the space has been retested by a Marine Chemist or Coast Guard authorized person and a new certificate issued in accordance with 1915.14(a).

  5. Tests to maintain a competent person's findings. After a competent person has conducted a visual inspection and tests required in 1915.12, 1915.13, and 1915.14 of this part and determined a space to be safe for an employee to enter, he or she shall continue to test spaces as often as necessary to ensure that the required atmospheric conditions within the tested space are maintained.

  6. Changes in conditions determined by competent person's findings. After the competent person has determined initially that a space is safe for an employee to enter and he or she finds subsequently that the conditions within the tested space fail to meet the requirements of 1915.12, 1915.13, and 1915.14, of this part, as applicable, work shall be stopped until the conditions in the tested space are corrected to comply with 1915.12, 1915.13, and 1915.14, as applicable.

§1915.16. Warning signs and labels.

  1. Employee comprehension of signs and labels.The employer shall ensure that each sign or label posted to comply with the requirements of this subpart is presented in a manner that can be perceived and understood by all employees.

  2. Posting of large work areas.A warning sign or label required by paragraph (a) of this section need not be posted at an individual tank, compartment or work space within a work area if the entire work area has been tested and certified: "Not Safe for Workers" and "Not Safe for Hot Work" and if the sign or label to this effect is posted conspicuously at each means of access to the work area.
Subpart C -- Surface Preparation and Preservation

§1915.31 -- Scope and Application of Subpart

The standards contained in this subpart shall apply to ship repairing and shipbuilding and shall not apply to shipbreaking.

§1915.32 -- Toxic Cleaning Solvents

  1. When toxic solvents are used, the employer shall employ one or more of the following measures to safeguard the health of employees exposed to these solvents.

    1. The cleaning operation shall be completely enclosed to prevent the escape of vapor into the working space.

    2. Either natural ventilation or mechanical exhaust ventilation shall be used to remove the vapor at the source and to dilute the concentration of vapors in the working space to a concentration which is safe lor the entire work period.

    3. Employees shall be protected against toxic vapors by suitable respiratory protective equipment in accordance wilh the requirements of § 1915.152 (a) and (c), and, where necessary, against exposure of skin and eyes to contact wilh toxic solvents and their vapors by suitable clothing and equipment.
  2. The principles in the threshold limit values to which attention is directed in § 1915.4 will be used by the Depart-lent of Labor in enforcement proceedings in defining a safe concentration of air contaminants.

  3. When flammable solvents are used, precautions shall be taken in accordance wilh the requirements of § 1915.36.
§1915.33 -- Chemical Paint and Preservative Removers

  1. Employees shall be protected against all skin contact during the handling and application of chemical paint and preservative removers and shall be protected against eye injury by goggles or face shields in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.151 (a) and (b).

  2. When using flammable paint and preservative removers, precautions shall be taken in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.36.

  3. When using chemical paint and preservative removers which contain volatile and toxic solvents, such as benzol, acetone and amyl acetate, the provisions of § 1915.32 shall be applicable.

  4. When using paint and rust removers containing strong acids or alkalies, employees shall be protected by suitable face shields to prevent chemical burns on the face and neck.

  5. When steam guns are used, all employees working within range of the blast shall be protected by suitable face shields. Metal parts of the steam gun itself shall be insulated to protect the operator against heat burns.

§1915.34 -- Mechanical Paint Removers

  1. Power tools.

    1. Employees engaged in the removal of paints, preservatives, rusts or other coatings by means of power tools shall be protected against eye injury by goggles or face shields in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.151(a).

    2. All portable rotating tools used for the removal of paints, preservatives, rusts or other coatings shall be adequately guarded to protect both the operator and nearby workers from flying missiles.

    3. Portable electric tools shall be grounded in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.132.

    4. In a confined space, mechanical exhaust ventilation sufficient to keep the dust concentration to a minimum shall be used, or employees shall be protected by respiratory protective equipment in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.152 (a) and (d).

  2. Flame removal.

    1. Hardened preservative coatings shall not be removed by flame in enclosed spaces unless the employees exposed to fumes are protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.152(a). Employees performing such an operation in the open air, and those exposed to the resulting fumes, shall be protected by a fume filter type respirator in accordance with requirements of paragraphs (a) and (d)(2)(iv) of § 1915.152.

    2. Flame or heat shall not be used to remove soft and greasy preservative coatings.

  3. Abrasive blasting.

    1. Equipment. Hoses and fittings used for abrasive blasting shall meet the following requirements:

      1. Hoses. Hose of a type to prevent shocks from static electricity shall be used.

      2. Hose couplings. Hose lengths shall be joined by metal couplings secured to the outside of the hose to avoid erosion and weakening of the couplings.

      3. Nozzles. Nozzles shall be attached to the hose by fittings that will prevent the nozzle from unintentionally becoming disengaged. Nozzle attachments shall be of metal and shall fit onto the hose externally.

      4. Dead man control. A dead man control device shall be provided at the nozzle end of the blasting hose either to provide direct cutoff or to signal the pot tender by means of a visual and audible signal to cut off the flow, in the event the blaster loses control of the hose. The pot tender shall be available at all times to respond immediately to the signal.

    2. Replacement. Hoses and all fittings used for abrasive blasting shall be inspected frequently to insure timely replacement before an unsafe amount of wear has occurred.

    3. Personal protective equipment.

      1. Abrasive blasters working in enclosed spaces shall be protected by hoods and air fed respirators or by air helmets of a positive pressure type in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.152(a).

      2. Abrasive blasters working in the open shall be protected as indicated in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section except that when synthetic abrasives containing less than one percent free silica are used jointly, filter type respirators approved jointly by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Mine Safety and Health Administration for exposure to lead dusts may be used in accordance with § 1915.152(a) and (d).

      3. Employees, other than blasters, including machine tenders and abrasive recovery men, working in areas where unsafe concentrations of abrasive materials and dusts are present shall be protected by eye and respiratory protective equipment in accordance with the requirements of §§ 1915.151(a) and (b) and 1915.152(a) and (d).

      4. The blaster shall be protected against injury from exposure to the blast by appropriate protective clothing, including gloves.

      5. Since surges from drops in pressure in the hose line can be of sufficient proportions to throw the blaster off the staging, the blaster shall be protected by a safety belt when blasting is being done from elevations where adequate protection against falling cannot be provided by railings.

§ 1915.35 -- Painting

  1. Paints mixed with toxic vehicles or solvents.

    1. When paints mixed with toxic vehicles or solvents are sprayed, the following conditions shall apply:

      1. In confined spaces. employees continuously exposed to such spraying shall be protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.152(a).

      2. In tanks or compartments, employees continuously exposed to such spraying shall be protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.152(a). Where mechanical ventilation is provided, employees shall be protected by respirators in accordance with the requirements of §§ 1915.152(a) and (e).

      3. In large and well ventilated areas, employees exposed to such spraying shall be protected by respirators in accordance with the requirements of §§1915.152(a) and (e).

    2. Where brush application of paints with toxic solvents is done in confined spaces, or other areas where lack of ventilation creates a hazard, employees shall be protected by filter respirators in accordance with the requirements of §§1915.152(a) and (c).

    3. When flammable paints or vehicles are used, precautions shall be taken in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.36.

    4. The metallic parts of air moving devices, including fans, blowers, and jet-type air movers, and all duct work shall be electrically bonded to the vessel structure.

  2. Paints and tank coatings dissolved in highly volatile, toxic and flammable solvents. Several organic coatings, adhesives, and resins are dissolved in highly toxic, flammable and explosive solvents with flash points below 80°F. Work involving such materials shall be done only when all of the following special precautions have been taken:

    1. Sufficient exhaust ventilation shall be provided to keep the concentration of solvent vapors below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit. Frequent tests shall be made by a competent person to ascertain the concentration.

    2. If the ventilation fails or if the concentration of solvent vapors rises above10 percent of the lower explosive limit, painting shall be stopped and the compartment shall be evacuated until the concentration again falls below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit. If the concentration does not fall when painting is stopped, additional ventilation to bring the concentration down to 10 percent of the lower explosive limit shall be provided.

    3. Ventilation shall be continued after the completion of painting until the space or compartment is gas free. The final determination as to whether the space or compartment is gas free shall be made after the ventilating equipment has been shut off for at least 10 minutes.

    4. Exhaust ducts shall discharge clear of working areas and away from sources of possible ignition. Periodic tests shall be made to ensure that the exhausted vapors are not accumulating in other areas within or around the vessel or dry dock.

    5. All motors and control equipment shall be of the explosion-proof type. Fans shall have nonferrous blades. Portable air ducts shall also be of nonferrous materials. All motors and associated control equipment shall be properly maintained and grounded.

    6. Only non-sparking paint buckets, spray guns and tools shall be used. Metal parts of paint brushes and rollers shall be insulated. Staging shall be erected in a manner which ensures that it is non-sparking.

    7. Only explosion-proof lights, approved by the Underwriters' Laboratories for use in Class 1, Group D atmospheres, or approved as permissible by the Mine Safety and Health Administration or the U.S. Coast Guard, shall be used.

    8. A competent person shall inspect all power and lighting cables to ensure that the insulation is in excellent condition, free of all cracks and worn spots, that there are no connections within fifty (50) feet of the operation, that lines are not overloaded, and that they are suspended with sufficient slack to prevent undue stress or chafing.

    9. The face, eyes, head, hands, and all other exposed parts of the bodies of employees handling such highly volatile paints shall be protected. All footwear shall be non-sparking, such as rubbers, rubber boots or rubber soled shoes without nails. Coveralls or other outer clothing shall be of cotton. Rubber, rather than plastic, gloves shall be used because of the danger of static sparks.

    10. No matches, lighted cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, and no cigarette lighters or ferrous articles shall be taken into the area where work is being done.

    11. All solvent drums taken into the compartment shall be placed on nonferrous surfaces and shall be grounded to the vessel. Metallic contact shall be maintained between containers and drums when materials are being transferred from one to another.

    12. Spray guns, paint pots. and metallic parts of connecting tubing shall be electrically bonded. and the bonded assembly shall be grounded to the vessel.

    13. All employees continuously in a compartment in which such painting is being performed, shall be protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.152(a) and by suitable protective clothing. Employees entering such compartments for a limited time shall be protected by filter cartridge type respirators in accordance with the requirements of §§ 1915.152(a) and (e).

    14. All employees doing exterior paint spraying with such paints shall be protected by suitable filter cartridge type respirators in accordance with the requirements of §§ 1915.152(a) and (e) and by suitable protective clothing.

§ 1915.36 -- Flammable Liquids

  1. In all cases when liquid solvents, paint and preservative removers, paints or vehicles, other than those covered by § 1915.35(b), are capable of producing a flammable atmosphere under the conditions of use, the following precautions shall be taken:

    1. Smoking, open flames, arcs and spark-producing equipment shall be prohibited in the area.

    2. Ventilation shall be provided in sufficient quantities to keep the concentration of vapors below 10 percent of their lower explosive limit. Frequent tests shall be made by a competent person to ascertain the concentration.

    3. Scrapings and rags soaked with these materials shall be kept in a covered metal container.

    4. Only explosion proof lights, approved by the Underwriters' Laboratories for use in Class 1, Group D atmospheres, or approved as permissible by the Mine Safety and Health Administration or the U.S. Coast Guard shall be used.

    5. A competent person shall inspect all power and lighting cables to ensure that the insulation is in excellent condition, free of all cracks and worn spots, that there are no connections within fifty (50) feet of the operation, that lines are not overloaded, and that they are suspended with sufficient slack to prevent undue stress or chafing.

    6. Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be immediately available in the work area and shall be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use.
Subpart D -- Welding, Cutting, and Heating

§1915.51 -- Ventilation and Protection in Welding, Cutting, and Heating

  1. The provisions of this section shall apply to all ship repairing, shipbuilding, and shipbreaking operations; except that paragraph (e) of this section shall apply only to ship repairing and shipbuilding. Paragraph (g) of this section shall apply only to ship repairing.

  2. Mechanical ventilation requirements.

    1. For purposes of this section, mechanical ventilation shall meet the following requirements:

      1. Mechanical ventilation shall consist of either general mechanical ventilation systems or local exhaust systems.

      2. General mechanical ventilation shall be of sufficient capacity and so arranged as to produce the number of air changes necessary to maintain welding fumes and smoke within safe limits.

      3. Local exhaust ventilation shall consist of freely movable hoods intended to be placed by the welder or burner as close as practicable to the work. This system shall be of sufficient capacity and so arranged as to remove fumes and smoke at the source and keep the concentration of them in the breathing zone within safe limits.

      4. Contaminated air exhausted from a working space shall be discharged into the open air or otherwise clear of the source of intake air.

      5. All air replacing that withdrawn shall be clean and respirable.

      6. Oxygen shall not be used for ventilation purposes comfort cooling, blowing dust or dirt from clothing, or for cleaning the work area.

  3. Welding, cutting and heating in confined spaces.

    1. Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(3) and (d)(2) of this section either general mechanical or local exhaust ventilation meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section shall be provided whenever welding, cutting or heating is performed in a confined space.

    2. The means of access shall be provided to a confined space and ventilation ducts to this space shall be arranged in accordance with §§ 1915.76(b) (1) and (2).

    3. When sufficient ventilation cannot be obtained without blocking the means of access, employees in the confined space shall be protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.152(a), and an employee on the outside of such a confined space shall be assigned to maintain communication with those working within it and to aid them in an emergency.
  4. Welding, cutting or heating of metals of toxic significance.

    1. Welding, cutting or heating in any enclosed spaces aboard the vessel involving the metals specified below shall be performed with either general mechanical or local exhaust ventilation meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section:

      1. Zinc-bearing base or filler metals or metals coated with zinc-bearing materials.

      2. Lead base metals.

      3. Cadmium-bearing filler materials.

      4. Chromium-bearing metals or metals coated with chromium-bearing materials.

    2. Welding, cutting or heating in any enclosed spaces aboard the vessel involving the metals specified below shall be performed with local exhaust ventilation in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section or employees shall be protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.152(a):

      1. Metals containing lead, other than as an impurity, or metals coated with lead-bearing materials.

      2. Cadmium-bearing or cadmium coated base metals.

      3. Metals coated with mercury-bearing metals.

      4. Beryllium-containing base or filler metals. Because of its high toxicity, work involving beryllium shall be done with both local exhaust ventilation and air line respirators.

    3. Employees performing such operations in the open air shall be protected by filter type respirators in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (d)(2)(iv) of § 1915.152, except that employees performing such operations on beryllium-containing base or filler metals shall be protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.152(a).

    4. Other employees exposed to the same atmosphere as the welders or burners shall be protected in the same manner as the welder or burner.
  5. Inert-gas metal-arc welding.

    1. Since the inert-gas metal-arc welding process involves the production of ultraviolet radiation of intensities of 5 to 30 times that produced during shielded metal-arc welding, the decomposition of chlorinated solvents by ultraviolet rays, and the liberation of toxic fumes and gases, employees shall not be permitted to engage in, or be exposed to the process until the following special precautions have been taken:

      1. The use of chlorinated solvents shall be kept at least 200 (60.9 meters) feet from the exposed arc, and surfaces prepared with chlorinated solvents shall be thoroughly dry before welding is permitted on such surfaces.

      2. Helpers and other employees in the area not protected from the arc by screening as provided in § 1915.56(e) shall be protected by filter lenses meeting the requirements of §§ 1915.151 (a) and (c). When two or more welders are exposed to each other's arc, filter lens goggles of a suitable type meeting the requirements of §§ 1915.151 (a) and (c) shall be worn under welding helmets or hand shields to protect the welder against flashes and radiant energy when either the helmet is lifted or the shield is removed.

      3. Welders and other employees who are exposed to radiation shall be suitably protected so that the skin is covered completely to prevent burns and other damage by ultraviolet rays. Welding helmets and hand shields shall be free of leaks and openings, and free of highly reflective surfaces.

      4. When inert-gas metal-arc welding is being performed on stainless steel, the requirements of paragraph (d)(2) of this section shall be met to protect against dangerous concentrations of nitrogen dioxide.
  6. General welding, cutting, and heating.

    1. Welding, cutting and heating not involving conditions or materials described in paragraphs (c), (d) or (e) of this section may normally be done without mechanical ventilation or respiratory protective equipment, but where, because of unusual physical or atmospheric conditions, an unsafe accumulation of contaminants exists, suitable mechanical ventilation or respiratory protective equipment shall be provided.

    2. Employees performing any type of welding, cutting or heating shall be protected by suitable eye protective equipment in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.151 (a) and (c).

  7. Residues and cargoes of metallic ores.

    1. Residues and cargoes of metallic ores of toxic significance shall be removed from the area or protected from the heat before ship repair work which involves welding, cutting or heating is begun.
§ 1915.52 -- Fire Prevention(1)

  1. Paragraph (a) applies to ship repairing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking, and paragraph (b) applies to ship repairing and shipbuilding only.

    1. When practical, objects to be welded, cut or heated shall be moved to a designated safe location or, if the object to be welded, cut or heated cannot be readily moved, all movable fire hazards including residues of combustible bulk cargoes in the vicinity shall be taken to a safe place.

    2. If the object to be welded, cut or heated cannot be moved and if all the fire hazards including combustible cargoes cannot be removed, positive means shall be taken to confine the heat, sparks, and slag, and to protect the immovable fire hazards from them.

    3. When welding, cutting or heating is performed on tank shells, decks, overheads and bulkheads, since direct penetration of sparks or heat transfer may introduce a fire hazard to an adjacent compartment, the same precautions shall be taken on the opposite side as are taken on the side on which the welding is being performed.

    4. In order to eliminate the possibility of fire in confined spaces as a result of gas escaping through leaking or improperly closed torch valves, the gas supply to the torch shall be positively shut off at some point outside the confined space whenever the torch is not to be used or whenever the torch is left unattended for a substantial period of time, such as during the lunch hour. Overnight and at the change of shifts, the torch and hose shall be removed from the confined space. Open end fuel gas and oxygen hoses shall be immediately removed from confined spaces when they are disconnected from the torch or other gas consuming device.

  2. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to ship repairing and shipbuilding only.

    1. No welding, cutting or heating shall be done where the application of flammable paints or the presence of other flammable compounds or of heavy dust concentrate creates a hazard.

    2. Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be immediately available in the work area and shall be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use. In addition, when hot work is being performed aboard a vessel and pressure is not available on the vessel's fire system, an auxiliary supply of water shall be made available where practicable, consistent with avoiding freezing of the lines or hose.

    3. When the welding, cutting, or heating operation is such that normal fire prevention precautions are not sufficient, additional personnel shall be assigned to guard against fire while the actual welding, cutting, or heating operation is being performed and for a sufficient period of time after completion of the work to insure that no possibility of fire exists. Such personnel shall be instructed as to the specific anticipated fire hazards and how the fire fighting equipment provided is to be used.

    4. Vaporizing liquid extinguishers shall not be used in enclosed spaces.

    5. Except when the contents are being removed or transferred, drums, pails, and other containers which contain or have contained flammable liquids shall be kept closed. Empty containers shall be removed to a safe area apart from hot work operations, or open flames.

  3. In all cases, suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be immediately available in the work area and shall be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use. Personnel assigned to contain fires within controllable limits shall be instructed as to the specific anticipated fire hazards and how the fire fighting equipment provided is to be used. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to shipbreaking only.

§1915.53 -- Welding, Cutting and Heating in Way of Preservative Coatings

  1. The provisions in this section shall apply to all ship repairing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking operations except for paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section which shall apply to ship repairing and shipbuilding and shall not apply to shipbreaking.

  2. Before welding, cutting or heating is commenced on any surface covered by a preservative coating whose flammability is not known, a test shall be made by a competent person to determine its flammability. Preservative coatings shall be considered to be highly flammable when scrapings burn with extreme rapidity.

  3. Precautions shall be taken to prevent ignition of highly flammable hardened preservative coatings. When coatings are determined to be highly flammable they shall be stripped from the area to be heated to prevent ignition or, where shipbreaking is involved, the coatings may be burned away under controlled conditions. A 1-1/2 inch (3.75 centimeters) or larger tire hose with fog nozzle, which has been uncoiled and placed under pressure, shall be immediately available for instant use in the immediate vicinity, consistent with avoiding freezing of the hose.

  4. Protection against toxic preservative coatings.

    1. In enclosed spaces, all surfaces covered wilh toxic preservatives shall be stripped of all toxic coatings for a distance of at least 4 inches (10 centimeters) from the area of heat application or the employees shall be protected by air line respirators meeting the requirements of § 1915.152(a).

    2. In the open air, employees shall be protected by a filter type respirator in accordance with the requirements of §§ 1915.152 (a) and (d).

  5. Before welding, cutting or heating is commenced in enclosed spaces on metals covered by soft and greasy preservatives, the following precautions shall be taken:

    1. A competent person shall test the atmosphere in the space to ensure that it does not contain explosive vapors, since there is a possibility that some soft and greasy preservatives may have flash points below temperatures which may be expected lo occur naturally. If such vapors are determined to be present, no hot work shall be commenced until such precautions have been taken as will ensure that the welding, cutting or heating can be performed in safety.

    2. The preservative coatings shall be removed for a sufficient distance from the area to be heated to ensure that the temperature of the unstripped metal will not be appreciably raised. Artificial cooling of the metal surrounding the heated area may be used to limit the size of the area required to be cleaned. The prohibition contained in § 1915.34(b)(2) shall apply.

  6. Immediately after welding, cutting or heating is commenced in enclosed spaces on metal covered by soft and greasy preservatives, and at frequent intervals thereafter, a competent person shall make tests to ensure that no flammable vapors are being produced by the coatings. If such vapors are determined to be present, the operation shall be stopped immediately and shall not be resumed until such additional precautions have been taken as are necessary to ensure that the operation can be resumed safely.
§1915.54 -- Welding, Cutting and Heating of Hollow Metal Containers and Structures Not Covered by §1915.12

The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repairing, shipbuilding or shipbreaking.

  1. Drums, containers, or hollow structures which have contained flammable substances shall, before welding, cutting, or heating is undertaken on them, either be filled with water or thoroughly cleaned of such substances and ventilated and tested.

  2. Before heat is applied to a drum, container, or hollow structure, a vent or opening shall be provided for the release of any built-up pressure during the application of heat.

  3. Before welding, cutting, heating or brazing is begun on structural voids such as skegs, bilge keels, fair waters, masts, booms, support stanchions, pipe stanchions or railings, a competent person shall inspect the object and, if necessary, test it for the presence of flammable liquids or vapors. If flammable liquids or vapors are present, the object shall be made safe.

  4. Objects such as those listed in paragraph (c) of this section shall also be inspected to determine whether water or other non-flammable liquids are present which, when heated, would build up excessive pressure. If such liquids are determined to be present, the object shall be vented, cooled, or otherwise made safe during the application of heat.

  5. Jacketed vessels shall be vented before and during welding, cutting or heating operations in order to release any pressure which may build up during the application of heat.

§1915.55 -- Gas Welding and Cutting

The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repairing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking.

  1. Transporting, moving and storing compressed gas cylinders.

    1. Valve protection caps shall be in place and secure. Oil shall not be used to lubricate protection caps.

    2. When cylinders are hoisted, they shall be secured on a cradle, slingboard or pallet. They shall not be hoisted by means of magnets or choker slings.

    3. Cylinders shall be moved by tilting and rolling them on their bottom edges. They shall not be intentionally dropped, struck, or permitted to strike each other violently.

    4. When cylinders are transported by vehicle, they shall be secured in position.

    5. Valve protection caps shall not be used for lifting cylinders from one vertical position to another. Bars shall not be used under valves or valve protection caps to pry cylinders loose when frozen. Warm, not boiling, water shall be used to thaw cylinders loose.

    6. Unless cylinders are firmly secured on a special carrier intended for this purpose, regulators shall be removed and valve protection caps put in place before cylinders are moved.

    7. A suitable cylinder truck, chain, or other steadying device shall be used to keep cylinders from being knocked over while in use.

    8. When work is finished, when cylinders are empty or when cylinders are moved at any time, the cylinder valves shall be closed.

    9. Acetylene cylinders shall be secured in an upright position at all times except, if necessary, for short periods of time while cylinders are actually being hoisted or carried.

  2. Placing cylinders.

    1. Cylinders shall be kept far enough away from the actual welding or cutting operation so that sparks, hot slag or flame will not reach them. When this is impractical, fire resistant shields shall be provided.

    2. Cylinders shall be placed where they cannot become part of an electrical circuit. Electrodes shall not be struck against a cylinder to strike an arc.

    3. Fuel gas cylinders shall be placed with valve end up whenever they are in use. They shall not be placed in a location where they would be subject to open flame, hot metal, or other sources of artificial heat.

    4. Cylinders containing oxygen or acetylene or other fuel gas shall not be taken into confined spaces.

  3. Treatment of cylinders.

    1. Cylinders, whether full or empty, shall not be used as rollers or supports.

    2. No person other than the gas supplier shall attempt to mix gases in a cylinder. No one except the owner of the cylinder or person authorized by him shall refill a cylinder. No one shall use a cylinder's contents for purposes other than those intended by the supplier. Only cylinders bearing Interstate Commerce Commission identification and inspection markings shall be used.

    3. No damaged or defective cylinder shall be used.

  4. Use of fuel gas. The employer shall thoroughly instruct employees in the safe use of fuel gas, as follows:

    1. Before connecting a regulator to a cylinder valve, the valve shall be opened slightly and closed immediately. (This action is generally termed "cracking" and is intended to clear the valve of dust or dirt that might otherwise enter the regulator.) The person cracking the valve shall stand to one side of the outlet, not in front of it. The valve of a fuel gas cylinder shall not be cracked where the gas would reach welding work, sparks, flame or other possible sources of ignition.

    2. The cylinder valve shall always be opened slowly to prevent damage to the regulator. To permit quick closing, valves on fuel gas cylinders shall not be opened more than 1-1/2 turns. When a special wrench is required, it shall be left in position on the stem of the valve while the cylinder is in use so that the fuel gas flow can be shut off quickly in case of an emergency. In the case of manifolded or coupled cylinders, at least one such wrench shall always be available for immediate use. Nothing shall be placed on top of a fuel gas cylinder, when in use, which may damage the safety device or interfere with the quick closing of the valve.

    3. Fuel gas shall not be used from cylinders through torches or other devices which are equipped with shutoff valves without reducing the pressure through a suitable regulator attached to the cylinder valve or manifold.

    4. Before a regulator is removed from a cylinder valve, the cylinder valve shall always be closed and the gas released from the regulator.

    5. If, when the valve on a fuel gas cylinder is opened, there is found to be a leak around the valve stem, the valve shall be closed and the gland nut tightened. If this action does not stop the leak, the use of the cylinder shall be discontinued, and it shall be properly tagged and removed from the vessel. In the event that fuel gas should leak from the cylinder valve rather than from the valve stem and the gas cannot be shut off, the cylinder shall-be properly tagged and removed from the vessel. If a regulator attached to a cylinder valve will effectively stop a leak through the valve seat, the cylinder need not be removed from the vessel.

    6. If a leak should develop at a fuse plug or other safety device, the cylinder shall be removed from the vessel.

  5. Fuel gas and oxygen manifolds.

    1. Fuel gas and oxygen manifolds shall bear the name of the substance they contain in letters at least 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) high which shall be either painted on the manifold or on a sign permanently attached to it.

    2. Fuel gas and oxygen manifolds shall be placed in safe and accessible locations in the open air. They shall not be located within enclosed spaces.

    3. Manifold hose connections. including both ends of the supply hose that lead to the manifold, shall be such that the hose cannot be interchanged between fuel gas and oxygen manifolds and supply header connections. Adapters shall not be used to permit the interchange of hose. Hose connections shall be kept free of grease and oil.

    4. When not in use, manifold and header hose connections shall be capped.

    5. Nothing shall be placed on top of a manifold, when in use, which will damage the manifold or interfere with the quick closing of the valves.

  6. Hoses.

    1. Fuel gas hose and oxygen hose shall be easily distinguishable from each other. The contrast may be made by different colors or by surface characteristics readily distinguishable by the sense of touch. Oxygen and fuel gas hoses shall not be interchangeable. A single hose having more than one gas passage, a wall failure of which would permit the flow of one gas into the other gas passage, shall not be used.

    2. When parallel sections of oxygen and fuel gas hose are taped together not more than 4 inches (10 centimeters) out of 8 inches (20 centimeters) shall be covered by tape.

    3. All hose carrying acetylene, oxygen, natural or manufactured fuel gas, or any gas or substance which may ignite or enter into combustion or be in any way harmful to employees, shall be inspected at the beginning of each shift. Defective hose shall be removed from service.

    4. Hose which has been subjected to flashback or which shows evidence of severe wear or damage shall be tested to twice the normal pressure to which it is subject but in no case less than two hundred psi (1,379 kPa). Defective hose or hose in doubtful condition shall not be used.

    5. Hose couplings shall be of the type that cannot be unlocked or disconnected by means of a straight pull without rotary motion.

    6. Boxes used for the stowage of gas hose shall be ventilated.

  7. Torches.

    1. Clogged torch tip openings shall be cleaned with suitable cleaning wires, drills or other devices designed for such purpose.

    2. Torches shall be inspected at the beginning of each shift for leaking shutoff valves, hose couplings, and tip