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General Requirements Shipbuilding Ship Repair Shipbreaking Barge Cleaning

PPE » Hazard Assessment
 
Illustration of the many ship repair operations that require PPE
Figure 1: Illustration of the many shipyard operations that require PPE.
The first step in the development of a PPE program is to conduct a
comprehensive hazard assessment. [1915.152(b)] 

The Non-mandatory Guidelines for Hazard Assessment contain examples of procedures for hazard assessment requirements. [1915 Subpart I Appendix A]

The following section addresses:
OSHA hierarchy of controls is:
  1. Engineering Controls
  2. Administration Controls
  3. Personal Protective Equipment

Note: Confined space entry is one of the leading hazards associated with barge cleaning. Review the Ship Repair: Confined/Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres chapter for information on how to protect workers from this hazard. 

Conducting a Hazard Assessment
A determination of whether hazards are present or are likely to be present must be conducted. [1915.152(b)] If such hazards are present or are likely to be present the employer shall select the type of PPE.

Hazards to evaluate may include:
  • Impact (falling objects, struck-by hazards, impact tools)
  • Puncture and cuts (tools, knives, slag, nails, wire rope, sheet metal)
  • Compression/Crushing (gears, struck-by hazards, shifting loads)
  • Chemical (solvents, corrosives, paints, fumes)
  • Heat/Cold (welding, burning, environmental temperatures)
  • Burns (thermal, chemical)
  • Vibration (pneumatic tools)
  • Dust (heavy metals, silica)
  • Light (optical) radiation (arc welding, lasers)
  • Excessive noise (abrasive blasting, needle gunning, scaling, grinding, metal straightening)
  • Falling (from elevations, into water)
  • Drowning
Maritime Labor/Industry Recommendations
  • Maritime Labor/Industry recommends that the PPE hazard assessment be part of a broader assessment (such as Job Safety Analysis) which includes engineering, administrative, and other hazard controls.
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Documenting the Hazard Assessment
The hazard assessments must be documented [1915.152(b)(4)] and include the following information:
  • Occupation
  • Dates of the hazard assessment
  • Name of the person performing the hazard assessment
Maritime Labor/Industry Recommendations
  • Maritime Labor/Industry recommends a written PPE Program that describes how the employer meets each element of the standard.
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