VSRA News

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) to target worksites where employees are at risk for developing silicosis.
"Exposure to silica threatens nearly two million American employees annually," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "Under this program, OSHA will work diligently to maximize the protection of employees and eliminate workplace exposures to silica-related hazards."
The NEP compliance directive builds on policies and procedures instituted in the 1996 Special Emphasis Program and includes an updated list of industries commonly known to have overexposures to silica; detailed information on potential hazards linked to silica and about current research regarding silica exposure hazards; guidance on calculating the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for dust containing respirable crystalline silica in the construction and maritime industries; and guidance on conducting silica-related inspections.
Two additional elements included in the directive are an evaluation procedure for recording reductions of employee exposures to silica, as well as information on outreach programs, partnerships and alliances with employers to share resources and training to reduce employee exposures.
Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by breathing in a large amount of crystalline silica. Visit www.osha.gov for more information on hazard recognition and possible solutions to silica exposure.
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.

The following are two OSHA maritime industry-related products now available on OSHA's Web site. A link is also provided under 'Online Resources' at SCA's Web site:

• OSHA Products, Information and Guidance for the Longshoring and Marine Terminal Industries. OSHA, (2007, November), 2 pages.
  
• OSHA Products, Information and Guidance for the Shipyard Employment Industry. OSHA, (2007, November), 2 pages.
  

NOTE: The documents are available to view/download on the OSHA Public Page at http://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/compliance/compliance.html. The products are available in two formats: .html (electronically linked to reference materials); or .PDF (a two page flyer that is easy to handout at meetings, use for toolbox talks, etc.). 

*NOTICE - OSHA Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) Meeting*

The next MACOSH meeting has been scheduled for March 18 to 20, 2008 in Houston, TX.

DATES: On Tuesday, March 18, 2008, the Shipyards, Longshoring, and Cranes and Falls workgroups will meet. On Wednesday, March 19, 2008, the Health and Outreach and Safety Culture workgroups will meet. MACOSH will meet on Thursday, March 20, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The Committee and workgroups will meet at the Wyndham Greenspoint Hotel, 12400 Greenspoint Drive, Houston, TX 77060. For general information about MACOSH and this meeting, contact: Joseph Daddura, Office of Maritime, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N– 3609, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; phone: (202) 693–2067.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All MACOSH meetings and workgroup meetings are open to the public. All interested persons are invited to attend the MACOSH and workgroup meetings at the times and places listed above. Each workgroup may discuss one or more of the topics listed for that workgroup as time permits. The meeting times for each workgroup are approximate and subject to change without advance notice.

• The Shipyards workgroup will meet on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in Salon 2. Discussions may include spray paint standards and hot work on coatings, the shipbreaking guidance document, and electrical standards.
  
• The Longshoring workgroup will meet on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, from 10:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. in Salon 2. Discussions may include the traffic safety in marine terminals guidance document, the roll-on roll-off cargo guidance document, the International Maritime Organization’s initiative on cargo-lashing safety, and the flat-rack guidance document.
  
• The Cranes and Falls workgroup will meet on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, from 2:15 p.m. until 3:15 p.m. in Salon 2. Discussions may include working over water from aerial work platforms, working under a suspended load, and the barge safety guidance document.
  
• The Health workgroup will meet on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in Salon 3. Discussions will include radiation exposure in marine terminals.
  
• The Outreach and Safety Culture workgroup will meet on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, from 10:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. in Salon 3. Discussions may include leading indicators, substance abuse, and the longshoring and shipyard pocket guides.
  
• MACOSH agenda: The agenda will include: an OSHA activities update, reports from each workgroup, and a review of the minutes from the previous meeting.

More details on the history and activities of MACOSH can be found at http://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/macosh/index.html.

OSHA issued the OSHA Chorme (VI) Compliance Directive on January 24, 2008.  This document explains the directions OSHA's Federal Office is giving to their Inspectors for Hex-chrome inspections.

RADM "DC" Curtis, Commander, Naval Suurface Forces, Atlantic, will be the guest speaker at the February General Membership meeting of VSRA.  The meeting will take place on tuesday, February 19th, at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth.

Last week, the Navy announced that RADM Curtis will relieve VADM Etenyre as Commander, Naval Surface Force at the end of the month.  VSRA members will have the rare opportunity to hear from the new commander as he addresses an important new program in the Surface Enterprise - CLASSRON's.  We have asked Adminra Curtis to discuss the relationship between the surface ship class squadrons and the MS/MO maintenance process.  We will also have the opportunity to hear his vision for the surface force as he heads to San Diego to assume his new position.

Of not, Admiral Curtis will pass the helm of the Atlantic Surface Force at his change of command the Friday following his address to VSRA.  Please join your fellow association members in this important luncheon.

SCA, in collaboration with OSHA Maritime Alliance participants the American Society of Safety Engineers, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the American Shipbuilding Association, and the National Shipbuilding Research Program, have completed the Safety Alert for Electrocution and Shock Hazards in Shipyard Employment.

This Safety Alert provides useful tips and reminders about what potentially hazardous situations to look for; and also lists instructions on preventing and eliminating electrical safety and shock hazards. In addition, the Alert illustrates examples of dangerous situations. The group hopes to continue work on a series of Safety Alerts to benefit the shipbuilding and repair industry.

In recognition and support of National Engineers Week, Old Dominion University, Frank Batten College of Engineering (BCET) is hosting a 2-day event beginning February 15, 2008.  A key element of this event is raising the awareness of engineering career opportunities among young women. Dave Edwards, Senior Vice President, WR Sysstems, a VSRA member, is chair of the BCET advisory board.   He has asked us to get the word out to parents and potential students so that we can maximize the awareness and participation in what promises to be a fun and educational event.  There will be engineering tours, contests, prizes and lots of opportunities to interact with successful and positive role models.  There are still a few opportunities for sponsorship and support as well.  Please see the ODU Women in Engineering Flyer and go to www.eng.odu.edu for more information