|
U.S. Department of Labor | |
||||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration | ||||||
 |
|
OSHA News Release
2007 - 01/05/2007 - OSHA Issues Guidance on Abrasive Blasting in Shipyards |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
|
Trade News Release Jan. 5, 2007 Contact: Elaine Fraser Phone: (202) 693-1999 OSHA Issues Guidance on Abrasive Blasting in Shipyards
WASHINGTON -- New guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) alerts shipyard employers and their employees about abrasive blasting hazards and the controls that can be implemented to protect employees. "This new guidance focuses on silica alternatives since most shipyards have moved away from using silica as a blasting agent," said OSHA Administrator Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "However, alternative blasting materials may bring a different set of hazards, so we want shipyard employees and their employers to have the most up-to-date safety and health information possible." The new guidance also addresses the specific air contaminants that employees may be exposed to during abrasive blasting. Other abrasive blasting safety and health hazards are discussed and recommendations on how to avoid these occupational hazards, such as engineering controls, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), exposure monitoring, medical surveillance and training on the OSHA Hazard Communication and PPE standards. OSHA also recommends that employers perform an inspection of the worksite to identify additional hazards, such as excessive noise, static electricity, confined spaces, heat exposure and fall hazards. The guidance also encourages employers to research each of the discussed hazards, as well as understand the suggested preventative measures and the abatement that has been detailed in the guidance. Although these guidelines are designed specifically for shipyard employment, OSHA hopes that employers with similar work environments will also find this information useful. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. ###
U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. |
|
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
 Back to Top |
www.osha.gov | www.dol.gov |
Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers |
||
| Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 |
||
