PPE Selection
» Surface Preparation
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Figure 1:
Removal of paint from vessel's hull.
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The OSHA
Hierarchy of Controls
- Engineering Controls
- Administration Controls
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Surface preparation requires pre-planning and evaluation of the
area for potential hazards before beginning work. Usually, a Shipyard
Competent Person (SCP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified
Marine Chemist (CMC) is needed to help evaluate hazards and select personal
protective equipment (PPE). Additional hazards will exist if work is done in enclosed
or confined spaces (see confined space).
Surface preparation operations present a significant risk
for skin, eye, and respiratory exposure to toxic and corrosive chemicals, as
well as risk of burns, cuts, and lacerations. Surface preparation operations often
require the use of respiratory protection equipment. Employers must comply with
the OSHA respirator standard [1915.154
and
1910.134].
Typical surface preparation operations are as
follows:
Each of these surface preparation operations may present unique hazards. Therefore, a
qualified person must select PPE based on the specific operation. Use of appropriate combinations of
the following PPE will provide adequate protection:
Review the General
Shipyard Worker PPE before
proceeding with this section.
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Abrasive Blasting |
PPE is required when performing abrasive blasting and must
provide protection from the impact of the rebounding abrasive blast material
(for example sand, metal slag) and toxic effects of the abrasive blast material and
coatings (such as paint, grease) being removed. Due to possible surges of pressure
in the hose line and potential static electricity shocks, fall protection may be
necessary. Hearing protection is important in this operation due to the high
noise levels usually associated with this operation.
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Chemical Paint Removers |
PPE is required when using chemical paint removers (such
as methylene chloride,
sodium hydroxide/lye) and must provide protection from skin contact, skin
absorption, and inhalation. Reactions between the cleaner and the material being
removed may produce additional toxic vapors or liquids.
Note: During these operations, it is important to have an emergency eye and
body flushing station.
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Maritime
Labor/Industry Recommendations |
- Fixed or portable eye wash stations/safety showers should meet
ANSI Z358.1-1998: Emergency Eye Wash and Shower Equipment.
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Figure 2: Emergency eye wash station. |
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Flame Removal |
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PPE may be required when the workers are exposed to fumes
and smoke created by flame removal of hardened coatings (such as paint). |
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Mechanical Paint Removers |
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PPE is required when performing mechanical paint removal
(such as by grinding,
needle gunning, pneumatic chipping). Due to high noise, flying particles, and
dust, hearing and eye protection are required and respiratory protection may be
required for all these operations. Due to the sparks produced, by grinding,
protective clothing is required. [1915.152(a) and
(b)] Anti-vibration devices
should be used to reduce the effect of excessive vibration from pneumatic tools.
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Hydro-Blasting |
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PPE is required when using hydro-blasting as a surface preparation method and
must protect the worker from injury from the hazards of the high-pressure water
stream, often from 1000 to 30000 psi. Due to the pressure reaction of turning the
stream on and off, fall protection may be necessary. Due to high noise, hearing
protection may be required. The PPE should also protect the worker from skin
contact with the material being removed, which in many cases can be toxic.
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Solvent Degreasing |
PPE is required when performing solvent degreasing (such
as with xylene, mineral
spirits, acetone) to provide protection from skin contact, skin absorption,
and inhalation. Reactions between the degreaser and the material being removed
may produce additional toxic vapors or liquids.
Note: During these operations, it is important to have an emergency eye and
body flushing station. |
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Maritime
Labor/Industry Recommendations |
- Fixed or portable eye wash stations/safety showers should meet
ANSI Z358.1-1998: Emergency Eye Wash and Shower Equipment.
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Figure 3: Emergency eye wash station. |
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Protective
Clothing and Hoods |
Potential Hazard:
- Chemical absorption or burns due to skin exposure to
chemical cleaner or residues.
- Abrasions and amputations from particles generated by
grinding, chipping, and blasting operations.
- Hearing loss from excessive noise.
- Burns due to contact with steam or hot water.
- Burns and amputations from contact with high-pressure steam, water, or air streams from
high-pressure equipment.
- Struck-by injuries and falls caused by uncontrolled high-pressure
hoses.
- Heat-related illnesses due to a combination of PPE
use, heat-producing equipment, work activity, and
environmental conditions. See Surface Prep: Mechanical
Removers - Work Environmental Temperature-Related Hazards.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
- PPE (such as a blasting hood and heavy canvas or leather aprons)
must be provided to protect the head and body of the blaster from the impact of
rebound abrasives. (See Fig 2.) [1915.152(a)]
- PPE should provide skin protection from water,
steam burns and high-temperature water during pressure spraying.
(See Fig 3.)
- PPE (such as impermeable chemical resistant
clothing) must be provided to protect the skin from corrosive and toxic chemicals that may be
spilled, sprayed, or splashed during their
use. (See Fig 4.) [1915.152(a)]
- Attached hoods should
be used when there is head or neck exposure.
- When respirators are used, hoods should be tightened over the
respirator to prevent interference with the face
seal and allow proper removal of gear.
- Heat stress program should be used.
- Leather garments provide
such protection provided that they are free of flammable or combustible
materials such as oil, grease, and solvents.
For more detailed information,
review
Hand
and Body Protection. |
Figure 4: Warning sign for sandblasting.
Figure 5: Abrasive blaster with appropriate PPE.
Figure 6: Improper practice: Worker steam cleaning without gloves and face
shield.
Figure 7: Worker with chemical
protective suit.
Figure 8: Worker using solvent to degrease deck. |
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Respiratory Protection |
Potential Hazards:
Respirators protect the lungs and upper respiratory
track from dust, mists, fumes, and vapors that are
associated with the cleaners and residues. Worker
illness may result from:
- Inhalation exposure to toxic or corrosive
chemicals.
- Exposure to oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
- Exposure to dust (such as silica, lead, and
chromate).
Requirements and Example Solutions:
OSHA requirements [1915.32,
33,
34,
35 and
36]
for the following operations do not apply to
Shipbreaking:
However, a Hazard Assessment is required by
1915.152 to protect workers from the hazards
associated with these operations.
For more detailed
information, review
Respiratory
Protection.
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Figure 9: Air-line respirator.
Figure 10: Abrasive blaster on barge
creating large dust cloud.
Figure 11: Workers exposed
to abrasive grit.
Figure 12: Worker with protective clothing and
air-line respirator. |
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Eye and Face Protection |
Potential Hazard:
- Chemical absorption or burns due to skin exposure to
chemical cleaner or residues.
- Eye and face injury from particles generated by
grinding, chipping and blasting operations.
- Worker face and eye exposure to corrosive or
toxic chemicals
that may splash or be sprayed.
Requirements and Example Solution:
- Full-face respirators should be used when toxic chemicals,
that can be absorbed through the skin, are used.
- Face shields and chemical goggles are necessary to protect
the eyes and face from corrosive materials.
- A defogging solution should be wiped on
the face shield before use and whenever necessary to provide adequate
vision when steam cleaning or hydro-blasting.
For more detailed information,
review
Eye
and Face Protection. |
Figure 13: Worker with disposable suit, gloves and face
protection.
Figure 14: Workers using pressure washing with face
protection. |
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Maritime
Labor/Industry Recommendations |
- Fixed or portable eye wash stations/safety showers should meet
ANSI Z358.1-1998: Emergency Eye Wash and Shower Equipment.
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Figure 15: Emergency eye wash station. |
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Foot Protection |
Potential Hazards:
- Chemical absorption or burns due to skin exposure to
chemical cleaner or residues.
- Foot injuries from blasting operations.
- Lacerations or amputations due to exposure to
high-pressure water and steam.
- Slips and falls due to slippery surface.
- Foot related illnesses due to wading in water.
- Burns due to contact with steam or hot water.
- Crushing hazards from falling objects.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
- Boots (for example chemical resistant or waterproof)
should provide skin protection from:
- Corrosive and toxic chemicals that may be
spilled, sprayed or splashed during their
use.
- Trauma during high-pressure spraying.
- Steam burns and high-temperature water.
- Prolonged exposure to water and similar
non-hazardous liquids.
- Boots should be
worn with the legs of the protective clothing
over them to prevent liquids from entering the
boots.
- Slip-resistant soled boots should be worn when
working on slippery surfaces.
- If flammable solvents are involved in the operation, non-static discharge
producing shoes/boots and shoe covers should be used.
For more detailed
information, review
Foot
Protection.
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Figure 16: Workers with appropriate foot
protection (such as rubber boots).
Figure 17: Safety boots. |
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Hand
Protection |
Potential Hazards:
- Chemical absorption or burns due to skin exposure to
chemical cleaner or residues.
- Burns due to contact with steam or hot water.
- Hand injuries from grinding, chipping, and blasting
operations.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
OSHA requirements [1915.32, 33, 34, 35 and 36]
for the following operations do not apply to Shipbreaking:
However, a Hazard Assessment is required by
1915.152 to protect workers from the hazards
associated with these operations.
For more detailed information,
review
Hand
and Body Protection.
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Figure 18: Worker cleaning with chemical-resistant
gloves.
Figure 19: Leather gloves used by blasters.
Figure 20: Worker grinding with leather gloves. |
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