Shipbuilding and Ship Repair - Process: Handling Large Materials
Process: Handling Large Materials
Description
This process includes moving large steel plates, erection units, diesel engines, etc.
This process includes moving large steel plates, erection units, diesel engines, etc.
Structural steel plates or aluminum plates are fabricated and assembled to form the ship or erection units. Erection units are assembled to form ships. Steel plates are replaced during repair and conversion work.
In dry docking, a ship is removed from the water to enable work to be performed on the exterior part of the ship below the waterline. Ships are constructed on dry docks. In launching, the new or repaired ship is either floated in place or slid from its berth.
During this process, surfaces of steel ships are prepared for painting.1
Shipbuilding and ship repair hazards are addressed in specific OSHA standards for maritime and construction. This section highlights OSHA standards and documents related to shipbuilding and ship repair.
Shipbuilding and ship repair includes the manufacture, repair, and maintenance of ships. Several types of hazards are common in this industry, including chemical (asbestos, welding fumes, solvents, paints, fuels), physical (noise, heat stress), and safety (fires, confined spaces, falls, heavy equipment).