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ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and the American Shipbuilding Association (ASA)
September 21, 2006
I. Alliance Background
Date Signed
July 15, 2003
Date Renewed
January 13, 2006
Evaluation Period
July 16, 2005 July 15, 2006
Overview
The Alliance focuses on using OSHA's and ASA's collective expertise to help advance a culture of
injury and illness prevention while sharing best practices and technical knowledge and promoting
safe and healthful working conditions for shipyard employees.
Implementation Team Members
OSHA: |
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Steve Butler
Debra Gabry
Carl Halgren
Jim Maddux
Jess McCluer
Tom Pope |
Office of Maritime Enforcement
Office of Science and Technology Assessment
Region X, Portland, Oregon Area Office Director
Office of Maritime Standards
Office of Outreach Services and Alliances
Region III, Norfolk, Virginia Area Office Director1 |
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ASA: |
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Jim Thornton |
Director, Environment, Health & Safety, Northrop
Grumman Ship Systems Newport News Operation |
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Contributors: |
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Kristi Dearing |
Contractor for OSHA, Salt Lake Technical Center |
1Member of the Implementation Team until July 2006.
II. Implementation Team Meetings
July 20, 2005
September 9, 2005
October 14, 2005
February 8-9, 2006
February 10, 2006
April 11, 2006
May 10, 2006 |
Joint Meeting with the National Shipbuilders Research
Program (NSRP) and the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) Alliance, Teleconference
Planning Meeting with NSRP and SCA Alliances for proposed Maritime Best Practices Seminar,
Teleconference
Planning Meeting with NSRP and SCA Alliances for proposed Maritime Best Practices Seminar,
Teleconference
Shipyard Employment eTool Fire Protection module editorial board meeting, Norfolk, Virginia
Joint Meeting with the NSRP and SCA Alliances, Teleconference
Joint meeting with the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), NSRP and SCA Alliances for
the Safety Alert: Deadly Hydrogen Sulfide and Shipyard Sewage, Teleconference
Joint Meeting with the NSRP and SCA Alliances, Teleconference |
III. Results
- Events and Products
Outreach and Communication Goals
- Develop and disseminate injury and hazard information at conferences, events and/or through print
and electronic media, including links from OSHA's and ASA's Web sites.
Products
OSHA's Safety and Health Injury Prevention Sheets (SHIPS)
The draft SHIPS, developed by OSHA's Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine (DSTM),
identify the prevalent types of injuries e.g. falls, strains and burns by processes such as
shipfitting, shipboard machining, shipboard electrical and shipboard handling. The ASA, NSRP and SCA
Implementation Teams completed reviewed the Shipfitting SHIP and are reviewing and providing
comments on the Machining, Electrical and Handling SHIPS. Due to a lawsuit that is challenging the
data module OSHA is using to develop the Shipfitting SHIPS, the development of the guide sheets has
been put on hold until the lawsuit is settled.
OSHA and ASA Alliance Web page
OSHA is continuing to update the OSHA and ASA Alliance Web page that is posted on the Agency's Web
site. It includes links to the OSHA and ASA agreement, renewal agreement, news releases and events.
This Web page is updated on a regular basis.
Publications and Newsletters
Information and news releases on the OSHA and ASA Alliance activities have appeared in a number of
print and online publications, including: BNA Occupational Safety and Health Reporter,
OSHA Up to Date and American Shipbuilder - INDUSTRY NEWS. For more
information on the articles, see "Alliance Program Reach."
Events
XVIIth World Congress on Safety and Health at Work and 2005 National Safety Council's Congress &
Expo September 17-23, 2005, Orlando, FL
Debra Gabry and Steve Butler promoted OSHA's Fatality Videos during the NSC's Film and Media
presentations on September 23, 2005 at the 2005 National Safety Council's Congress & Expo. The
computer animated hazard awareness videos are based on shipyard fatalities. The ASA, NSRP and SCA
Implementation Teams and OSHA Strategic Partnership program participants assisted in developing the
videos. In addition, Steve Butler, Director, Office of Maritime Enforcement promoted the video on
September 19, 2005 during a presentation to the National Safety Council's Maritime Industries Safety
& Health Committee that was held in conjunction with the National Safety Council's 2005 Congress and
Expo.
- Familiarize OSHA personnel with the shipbuilding industries' safety and health best practices and
share information on the best practices of ASA's members/worksites, as jointly determined by OSHA
and ASA, with others in the industry.
Events
Maritime Best Practices Seminar
In the Fall 2005, the OSHA and ASA, NSRP and SCA Alliances agreed to pursue developing a two-day
Maritime Industry Best Practices seminar focusing on lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita and will include workgroup discussions on maritime industry best practices including
shipfitting and welding, along with tours of a shipyard. The implementation teams agreed to schedule
the workshop in conjunction with the SCA Safety Seminar in early March 2006 in Mobile, AL. However,
OSHA's Regions IV and VI informed DCSP that they were focusing on hurricane recovery efforts, and as
a result were unable to participate in the proposed seminar. As a result, the ASA, NSRP and SCA
implementation teams agreed to follow up with OSHA Regions IV and VI in Fall 2006 to see when they
would be able to participate in a Maritime Best Practices Seminar.
- Share current injury, hazard and workforce trends to help identify the top priorities for the
development of employee safety and health training and outreach programs for the shipbuilding
industry.
Fatality Fact Sheets
NSRP, ASA and SCA are working with OSHA's Office of Maritime Enforcement to develop Fatality Fact
Sheets. The implementation teams are reviewing OSHA data to determine the top three to four specific
types of incidents (e.g. falls, electrocution), that result in shipyard fatalities to develop fact
sheets for a particular type of incident.
- Promote and encourage ASA members' participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance
assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs, Consultation and SHARP. In addition, act as mentors
to ASA members that aspire to excellence in safety and health.
The OSHA and ASA Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects this
reporting period.
- Create and update electronic assistance tools for OSHA's Web page that address shipbuilding safety
and health hazards.
OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages
ASA's members on the following Safety and Health Topics pages' and eTools editorial boards are
continuing to review and provide OSHA with feedback on the tools:
- Maritime Industries Safety and Health Topics page
James Thornton, Northrop Grumman-Newport News; Newport News, VA
Bob Watson, National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO); San Diego, CA
Shawn Wilkerson, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems-Avondale Operations; New Orleans, LA
- Ship Building and Repair Safety and Health Topics page
James Thornton, Northrop Grumman-Newport News; Newport News, VA
- Shipyard Employment eTool
Jim Thornton, Director, Environmental, Health and Safety; North Grumman Corporation - Newport News;
Newport News, VA
Bob Watson; NASSCO; San Diego, CA
Shawn Wilkerson; Northrop Grumman Ship Systems-Avondale Operations.; New Orleans, LA
Shipyard Employment eTool
The eTool provides information and guidance to help protect shipyard employees' health and safety by
minimizing or eliminating exposure to shipyard safety and health hazards. The OSHA and ASA Alliance,
and the OSHA and NSRP and SCA Alliances, provided OSHA with input during the development of the
Agency's Shipyard Employment eTool's Shipbuilding, Shipbreaking and Barge Cleaning modules. The
modules were completed and posted on OSHA's Web site in September 2005.
In addition, the Alliances are reviewing and providing comments on a draft Fire Protection module
for the Shipyard Employment eTool. It is expected to be completed and posted by Fall 2006.
- Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects for the maritime industry
that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
Safety Alert: Deadly Hydrogen Sulfide and Shipyard Sewage
The OSHA and ASA Alliance, together with the NSRP and SCA Alliances are working with the OSHA and
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Alliance to develop the Safety Alert: Deadly Hydrogen
Sulfide and Shipyard Sewage. The Alert is designed to make both shipyard employers and employees
aware of the hazards of sewage systems on both ships and shipyard shore facilities and how to
prevent accidents involving hydrogen sulfide gas. The Alert will be completed by August 2006.
Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health
- Raise awareness through speeches and appearances by ASA leaders of their positive and successful
worksite programs and their commitment to workplace safety and health.
The OSHA and ASA Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to
address this goal.
- Convene and/or participate in roundtable discussions or other forums to discuss issues, as jointly
identified as top priorities by ASA and OSHA, in order to develop innovative solutions to specific
injury and hazard issues in shipyards.
The OSHA and ASA Alliance Implementation Team has not started work on programs or projects to
address this goal.
- Executive Summary
Through the Alliance Program, OSHA and ASA are working together to address safety and health issues
in the maritime industry. The OSHA and ASA Alliance is very successful and the organizations have
developed a productive working relationship. This positive relationship has led to the development
of many programs and projects. OSHA and ASA are also sharing regulatory, compliance assistance and
cooperative program information. Further, the OSHA and ASA Alliance implementation team is working
jointly with the other maritime industry related Alliances that have been signed with NSRP and SCA
on several projects. For example:
- ASA representatives are serving on the Maritime Industry and Ship Building and Ship Repair Safety
and Health Topics pages' Editorial Boards and the Shipyard Employment eTool's Editorial Board.
- At the XVIIth World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2005 and the National Safety Council's
Congress & Expo in September 2005, representatives from the ASA Alliance implementation team
promoted OSHA's Fatality Videos during the NSC's Film and Media presentations and Maritime
Industries Safety & Health Committee.
- The OSHA and ASA Alliance, together with the OSHA and NSRP and SCA Alliances developed a draft
two-day Maritime Best Practices seminar focusing on lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
and will include workgroup discussions on maritime industry best practices including shipfitting and
welding, along with tours of a shipyard.
- The OSHA and ASA Alliance, together with the OSHA and NSRP and SCA Alliances are working with OSHA
and the AIHA, an Alliance Program participant to develop the Safety Alert: Deadly Hydrogen Sulfide
and Shipyard Sewage.
- ASA, NSRP and SCA are reviewing and providing comments on the draft Fire Protection module which
will be added to the OSHA Shipyard Employment eTool.
- The OSHA and ASA Alliance, together with the OSHA and the NSRP and SCA Alliances are working with
the OSHA's Office of Maritime Enforcement to review OSHA data in order to identify topics for
Fatality Fact Sheets.
Finally, ASA is continuing to hold joint Implementation Team meetings with NSRP and SCA and OSHA
representatives from the Directorates of Cooperative and State Programs; Enforcement Programs;
Science, Technology and Medicine; Standards and Guidance and Region III and Region IV. As a result
of the successes the organizations realized through the Alliance Program, OSHA and ASA signed an
Alliance renewal agreement on January 13, 2006.
- Alliance Program Reach
Type of Activity (Conference,
Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) |
Number of Individuals Reached or
Trained |
OSHA and ASA Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site |
5,220 |
Maritime Industries Safety and Health Topics page |
23,652 |
Ship Building and Ship Repair Safety and Health
Topics page |
23,652 |
Shipyard Employment eTool |
15,352 |
April 2006 "OSHA Alliances," OSHA Up To Date |
Data Not Available |
February 16, 2006 - "National Alliances Renewed,"
News for OSC |
Data Not Available |
February 15, 2006 "National Alliances Renewed,"
QuickTakes |
54,000 |
February 9, 2006 "OSHA, Shipbuilding Association
Renew Alliance," BNA Occupational Safety and Health Reporter |
Data Not Available |
February 3, 2006 "OSHA Renews Alliance with ASA to
Focus on Shipyard Safety," Claims Guides - Midwest News |
Data Not Available |
February 1, 2006 "OSHA Renews Alliance with
American Shipbuilding Association," LION Technology - NewsInfo |
Data Not Available |
February 1, 2006 "OSHA Renews Alliance with American
Shipbuilding Association," OSHA news release announcing Alliance renewal signing |
69 News Services |
February 1, 2006 "OSHA Renews Alliance with
American Shipbuilding Association; Alliance Focuses on Exposure to Shipyard Safety and Health
Hazards," U.S. Newswire |
Data Not Available |
January 2006 "ASA Renews Alliance Agreement with
OSHA," American Shipbuilder - INDUSTRY NEWS |
Data Not Available |
September 30, 2006 Updated eTool for Maritime
Industry Helps Workers Avoid Injuries," U.S. Newswire |
Data Not Available |
Fall 2005 "OSHA Posts Modules to Shipyard
Employment eTool," SCA Shipyard Chronicle |
1,500 |
December 2005 "Maritime Industry eTool recently
Updated," OSHA Up To Date |
Data Not Available |
December 2005 "Marine eTool Aids Shipyard Worker
Safety," Alliance Quarterly Review |
300 |
TOTAL |
123,676 |
IV. Upcoming Milestones
In the upcoming year, OSHA's and ASA's positive relationship will continue to grow and the
implementation team will undertake a number of activities and develop a number of products.
For example, the OSHA and ASA, NSRP and SCA Alliances are working with OSHA's Office of Maritime
Enforcement to review OSHA data in order to identify topics for Fatality Fact Sheets. In addition,
the groups have discussed working together to develop an OSHA 10-Hour course specifically for
shipyards.
The Implementation Teams are also reviewing and providing comments on the Fire Protection module for
the Shipyard Employment eTool that is expected to be completed by Fall 2006. In addition, ASA, NSRP
and SCA are working with the OSHA and AIHA Alliance to develop a Safety Alert:
Deadly Hydrogen Sulfide and Shipyard Sewage. The Alert is designed to make both shipyard
employers and employees aware of the hazards of sewage systems on both ships and shipyard shore
facilities and how to prevent accidents involving hydrogen sulfide gas. The final version of the Alert
will be completed by August 2006.
Finally, OSHA and the ASA, NSRP and SCA Alliances are working to develop a two-day Maritime Best
Practices seminar focusing on lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and will include
workgroup discussions on maritime industry best practices including shipfitting and welding, along
with tours of a shipyard.
Report prepared by: Jess McCluer, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances,
September 21, 2006
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