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General Requirements Shipbuilding Ship Repair Shipbreaking Barge Cleaning

PPE Selection » Surface Preparation
 
PPE for hot work
Figure 1: Illustrates a "safe" set-up for hot work where PPE is required
 
OSHA hierarchy of controls is: 
  1. Engineering Controls
  2. Administration Controls
  3. Personal Protective Equipment 
Surface preparation requires preplanning and evaluation of the area for potential hazards before work is begun. Usually, a Shipyard Competent Person (SCP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Marine Chemist (CMC) is needed to help evaluate hazards and select 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 prep 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.


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. For more information, see Surface Preparation: Mechanical Removers in Ship Repair.
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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.

For more information, see Surface Preparation: Chemical Removers in Ship Repair.
Maritime Labor/Industry Recommendations
  • Fixed or portable eye wash stations/safety showers should meet ANSI Z358.1-1998: Emergency Eye Wash and Shower Equipment.
 Eye wash station
Figure 2: Eye wash station.
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Flame Removal
PPE is required when performing flame removal of hardened coatings (such as paint) and must provide protection from the fumes and smoke created from this process. [1915.34(b)(1)]

For more information, see Surface Preparation in Ship Repair.
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Mechanical Paint Removers
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.

For more information, see Surface Preparation: Mechanical Paint Removers in Ship Repair.
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Hydro-Blasting
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.

For more information, see Surface Preparation in Ship Repair.
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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.

For more information, see Surface Preparation in Ship Repair.
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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:
  • Blasting hood and heavy canvas or leather aprons are required to protect the head and body of the blaster from the impact of rebound abrasives. (See Fig 2.) [1915.34(c)(3)]
  • Gear should provide skin protection from water, steam burns and high-temperature water during pressure spraying. (See Fig 3.)
  • Gear must provide skin protection from corrosive and toxic chemicals that may be spilled, sprayed, or splashed during their use. (See Fig 4.) [1915.33(a)]
  • Attached hoods should be used and 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.


 

 Warning sign for sandblasting
Figure 3: Warning sign for sandblasting.
 
Abrasive blaster with appropriate PPE
Figure 4: Abrasive blaster with appropriate PPE.
 
Worker steam cleaning without gloves and face shield
Figure 5: Improper practice: Worker steam cleaning without gloves and face shield.
 
Workers with chemical protective suits
Figure 6: Worker with chemical protective suits.
 
 Worker using solvent to degrease deck
Figure 7: Worker using solvent to degrease deck.
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Respirator 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:
  • Abrasive blasting hoods with supplied breathing air or positive pressure air helmets are required to be used by blasters when blasting in enclosed areas. [1915.34(c)(3)(i)]
  • Other workers in the blasting area where unsafe concentrations of abrasive materials and dust are present are required to wear appropriate respiratory protection (such as air-line or air-purifying respirator). See Fig 7 & 8. [1915.34(c)(3)(iii)]
  • Flame removal of coatings in enclosed spaces requires the use of supplied air respirators. An air purifying respirator with appropriate filters can be used when performing this work in the open. Air monitoring is used to determine the type of respirator required. [1915.34(b)(1)]
  • A supplied-air respirator may be required when grinding on surfaces containing lead, cadmium, mercury, or beryllium in enclosed spaces, and air purifying respirators are required for grinding on these metals in the open air. [1915.34(a)(4)]
  • Air-supplied respirators may be necessary to provide adequate respiratory protection.
  • If a half face mask respirator is used, eye and face protection may also be required in the form of a face shield and goggles.
For more detailed information, review Respiratory Protection.		 Air-line respirator
Figure 8: Air-line respirator.
 
Abrasive blaster on barge creating large dust cloud
Figure 9: Abrasive blaster on barge creating large dust cloud.

 Other workers exposed to abrasive grit
Figure 10: Other workers exposed to abrasive grit.
 
Worker with protective clothing and air-line respirator
Fig 11: 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 which 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.		 Worker with disposable suit, gloves and face protection
Fig 12: Worker with disposable suit, gloves and face protection.

Workers using pressure washing with face protection
Figure 13: Workers using pressure washing with face protection.
Maritime Labor/Industry Recommendations
  • Fixed or portable eye wash stations/safety showers should meet ANSI Z358.1-1998: Emergency Eye Wash and Shower Equipment.
 Eye wash station
Figure 14: 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
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.

 Workers with appropriate foot protection (such as, rubber boots)
Figure 15: Workers with appropriate foot protection (such as rubber boots).

Safety boots
Figure 16: 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:
  • Heavy canvas or leather gloves are required to protect the blaster's hands and forearms from the impact of rebound abrasives. [1915.34(c)(3)(iv)]
  • Gear should provide skin protection from:
    • Corrosive and toxic chemicals that may be spilled, sprayed, or splashed during their use.
    • Water during pressure spraying
    • Trauma during high-pressure spraying
    • Steam burns and high-temperature water
  • Gloves should be sealed to the protective clothing to prevent liquids from entering the glove.
  • Leather gloves free of flammable or combustible materials should be used while grinding and flame removal.
  • Vibration absorbing gloves should be used by mechanical paint removers.
  • For specific operations, inner gloves may be required.
For more detailed information, review Hand and Body Protection.

  		Worker cleaning with chemical-resistant gloves
Figure 17: Worker cleaning with chemical-resistant gloves.


Leather gloves used by blasters
Figure 18: Leather gloves used by blasters.

Worker grinding with leather gloves
Figure 19: Worker grinding with leather gloves.
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