OSHA National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Silica
February 19, 2008
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.
2008 UPDATED (2/7) National Ship Repair Industry Conferece
February 19, 2008
UPDATE - Register Today to Ensure a Slot
Make your plans now to attend the 2008 National Ship Repair Industry Conference in Washington DC. This year’s event will be held February 26 – 28 at the Crystal City Marriott. The conference is being organized by the Shipbuilders Council of America, in concert with VSRA and the other regional ship repair associations. All reserved Marriott rooms have been reserved (2/7). Due to the large number of room reservations, additional rooms have been reserved at the Sheraton Hotel in Crystal City. The hotel is conveniently located across the street from the Crystal City Marriott. Discounted rates for the Sheraton are closed (2/7). Make your reservations directly with the Sheraton [(703) 486-1111].
The registration fee is $320 for VSRA and other SRA members, $352 for non-SRA members. More details on registration can be found at the bottom of this article. The schedule is as follows:
Feb 26 at the Crystal City Marriott
1800-2000 Registration and cocktail reception hosted by the Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association (RDML McManamon, SEA21, will attend)
Feb 27 on Capital Hill
0700-0800 Working breakfast at Marriott hosted by the Jacksonville Ship Repair Association
0700-0800 Budget background briefing by RADM Dick Camacho (ret)
0900-1130 Meetings with members of the House on the House side
0930 - Rep Gene Taylor MS (accepted)
1000 - Rep Neil Abercrombie HI (accepted)
1130 - Rep Duncan Hunter CA (accepted)
1200 - Rep Randy Forbes VA (accept)
1230 - Rep Norm Dicks WA (accepted)
1300-1400 Lunch on the Senate side
1400-1700 Meetings with members of the Senate
1415 - Sen Gordon Smith OR (accepted)
TBD - Sen Inouye HI (tentative)
TBD - Sen Stevens AK (tentative)
TBD - Sen Jim Webb VA (tentative)
TBD - Sen Bill Nelson or Sen Mel Martinez FL (tentative)
1800-2000 Capital Hill cocktail reception hosted by the Virginia Ship Repair Association (Washington Room, Honeywell – adjacent to the Capitol)
Feb 28 at the Crystal City Marriott
0700-0800 Breakfast at CCM hosted by the Jacksonville Ship Repair Association
0900-1500 Meetings with executives of the Department of the Navy. Working lunch.
Accepted: Acting Sec Thackrah, VADM McCullough, RDML Campbell (OPNAV N43B), Mr. Weyman (for RDML McManamon), Mr. Guiterrez (for RDML Orzalli), Mr. James (for RAMD Hugel)
Tentative/TBD: CNO (Has hearing that day), VADM Sullivan
Unable to Attend: SECNAV (hearing that day), Ms. Stiller, RADM Reily, RADM Brooks (travel with ADM Greenert)
To register, complete the NSRIC 08 Registration Form and send it to SCA as indicated on the form. If you have any questions regarding the conference, please call Brian Elliott at SCA, (202) 347-5462.
New OSHA Maritime Industy Products Posted
February 14, 2008
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.).
OSHA MACOSH Meeting Scheduled March 18-20
February 14, 2008
*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.
TWIC Enrollment Center Opens in Hampton Roads
February 14, 2008
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced the following information regarding the opening of the first TWIC enrollment center in the Sector Hampton Roads area.
TWIC ENROLLMENT CENTER
Opening Date: Thursday, February 29, 2008
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Address: 814 Greenbrier Circle, Suite F
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Online pre-enrollment for the center is open and can be accessed by visiting www.tsa.gov/twic. Pre-enrollment is highly recommended to facilitate the smooth operation of the enrollment center. We have been advised those with appointments will be taken before walk-ins.
In addition to the fixed enrollment center, mobile enrollment centers will be available at various locations during the enrollment period. If you are interested in hosting a mobile enrollment center, please contact Mr. Kevin Abshire of Lockheed Martin at 571-480-1879.
Additional TWIC information is available on the Virginia Maritime Association website VAMaritime.com.
RADM DC Curtis to Speak to VSRA Members at February Meeting
February 13, 2008
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.
Safety Alert: Electrocution and Shock Hazards in Shipyards
February 08, 2008
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.