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Material contained in this publication
is in the public domain and may be
reproduced, fully or partially, without
permission of the Federal
GOvernment. Source Credit is
requested but not required.
The information Contained in this
publication is not considered a
Substitute for any provisions of the
Standard.
Industry
U.S. Department of Labor
Elizabeth Dole, Secretary
Occupational Safety and HST) 5
Health Administration
John A. Pendergrass, Assistant Secretary
OSHA 2268
1989 (Revised)
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i




Foreword
This booklet contains all the safety and health standards
specific to the Shipyard Industry contained in Title 29
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1915, as of
January 31, 1989. Also included are brief discussions on
the following:
1. The importance of regular employee training to
establish and reinforce employee awareness in the areas
of job safety and health.
2. The elements of a safety and health program that can
be used by employers to develop effective programs at
their worksites.
A brief description of the OSHA onsite consultation
program available to employers is also included at the
end of this publication.
Hazards not covered by Shipyard Industry standards may
be covered by General Industry standards contained in 29
CFR Part 1910 (OSHA Subscription Service, Volume I).
Where a hazard is covered by both the Shipyard Industry
standards and the General Industry standards, only the
Shipyard Industry standard will be cited by OSHA
inspectors (described in more detail in 29 CFR 1910.5).
In addition, OSHA regulations regarding general agency
practice and procedure are applicable to shipyard
employment. Particular attention is directed to the
provisions of 29 CFR Part 1904, Recording and Reporting
Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
iii
There are no geographical limitations to the maritime
jurisdiction on shore other than the limitations of the
Occupational Safety and Health Act itself. Employees of
employers performing maritime activities on the shore,
pier, terminal, yard, shipyard, machine shop, riverbank,
etc., as well as on the vessels afloat or in drydocks or
graving docks, are now covered by the Shipyard
standards.
States administering their own occupational safety and
health program through plans approved under Section
18(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
must adopt standards and enforce requirements that are
at least as effective as Federal requirements. There are
currently 25 States and territories with approved State
plans: 23 covering private and public sectors and 2
covering State and local government employees only
(see list of States at the end of this booklet).
State jurisdiction over maritime activity, including
shipyards, is generally considered to be limited to on-
shore operations. Thus, most States have chosen to
cover only State and local government maritime workers
(a group not covered by Federal OSHA). Federal OSHA
retains responsibility for all other maritime enforcement
in these States. California, Minnesota, Oregon, Vermont
and Washington also provide coverage to private sector
maritime workers Onshore, to varying extents, through
their State plans. Most offshore enforcement is provided
by Federal OSHA.
iv
Table of Contents
Foreword .........................
Employee Training for Safety and Health ..... º 1
Safety and Health Program Management
Guidelines ................................................................ 1
Subpart A–General Provisions
1915.1
1915.2
1915.3
1915.4
1915.5
1915.6
1915.7
Purpose and authority .......................... 5
Scope and application ........................... 5
Responsibility ..................................... 6
Definitions ......................................... 6
Reference specifications, standards and
codes ............................................. 10
Commercial diving operations ................ 11
Competent person ................................ 11
Subpart B–Explosive and Other Dangerous
Atmospheres
1915. 11 Scope and application of subpart ............ 14
1915. 12 Precautions before entering .................... 14
1915.13 Cleaning and other cold work ................ 17
1915.14 Certification before hot work is begun ..... 19
1915.15 Maintaining gas-free conditions .............. 22
1915. 16 Warning signs ..................................... 24
Subpart C–Surface Preparation and
Preservation
1915.31 Scope and application of Subpart ............ 25
1915.32 Toxic cleaning Solvents .......................... 25
1915.33 Chemical paint and preservative removers . 26

V
1915.34
1915.35
1915.36
Mechanical paint removers ..................... 27
Painting ............................................. 30
Flammable liquids ............................... 33
Subpart D–Welding, Cutting and Heating
1915.51
1915.52
1915.53
1915.54
1915.55
1915.56
1915.57
Ventilation and protection in welding,
cutting and heating ........................... 34
Fire prevention .................................... 39
Welding, cutting and heating in way of
preservative coatings .......................... 41
Welding, cutting and heating of hollow
metal containers and structures not
covered by § 1915.12 ......................... 43
Gas welding and cutting ........................ 44
Arc welding and cutting ........................ 49
Uses of fissionable material in ship
repairing and Shipbuilding .................. 53
Subpart E—Scaffolds, Ladders and Other
Working Surfaces
1915.71
1915.72
1915.73
1915.74
1915.75
1915.76
1915.77
Scaffolds or staging .............................. 53
Ladders ............................................. 66
Guarding of deck openings and edges ...... 69
Access to Vessels .................................. 70
Access to and guarding of dry docks and
marine railways ................................ 73
Access to cargo spaces and confined spaces . 74
Working surfaces ................................. 75
Subpart F.—General Working Conditions
1915.91
1915.92
Housekeeping ..................................... 76
Illumination ................... ................... 77
vi
1915.93 Utilities ............................................. 79
1915.94 Work in confined or isolated Spaces ......... 80
1915.95 Ship repairing and shipbuilding Work on or
in the vicinity of radar and radio ......... 81
1915.96 Work in or on lifeboats ......................... 81
1915.97 Health and sanitation ........................... 82
1915.98 First aid ............................................. 83
1915.99 Hazard communication ......................... 84
Subpart G—Gear and Equipment for
Rigging and Materials Handling
1915.111 Inspection .......................................... 127
1915. 112 Ropes, chains and slings ........................ 127
1915. 113 Shackles and hooks .............................. 129
1915. 114 Chain falls and pull-lifts ........................ 130
1915. 115 Hoisting and hauling equipment ............. 131
1915. 116 Use of gear ........................................ 132
1915. 117 Qualifications of operators .................... 134
1915. 118 Tables ................................................ 135
Subpart H–Tools and Related Equipment
1915. 131 General precautions .............................. 147
1915. 132 Portable electric tools ........................... 148
1915.133 Hand tools ......................................... 149
1915. 134 Abrasive wheels ................................... 149
1915. 135 Power actuated fastening tools ................ 151
1915.136 Internal combustion engines other than
ship's equipment ............................... 154
Subpart l—Personal Protective Equipment
1915.151 Eye protection ..................................... 155
1915. 152 Respiratory protection
vii
1915.153 Head, foot and body protection .............. 161
1915. 154 Lifesaving equipment ............................ 162
Subpart J–Ship's Machinery and Piping
Systems
1915. 161 Scope and application of subpart ............ 164
1915. 162 Ship's boilers ...................................... 164
1915. 163 Ship's piping Systems ............................ 165
1915. 164 Ship’s propulsion machinery ................... 166
1915. 165 Ship's deck machinery .......................... 167
Subpart K–Portable, Unfired Pressure
Vessels, Drums and Containers, Other Than
Ship's Equipment
1915.171 Scope and application of subpart ............ 167
1915. 172 Portable air receivers and other unfired
pressure vessels ................................. 168
1915.173 Drums and containers ........................... 168
Subpart L–Electrical Machinery
1915. 181 Electrical circuits and distribution boards 169
The Onsite Consultation Program................... 170
OSHA Regional Offices .................................. 173
Authority: Sec. 41, 44 Stat. 1444; sec. 1, 72 Stat. 835;
33 U.S.C. 941; secs. 6 and 8, 84 Stat 1593, 1599, 1600; 29
U.S.C. 655, 657.
viii
Employee Training for Safety and Health
Many standards promulgated by OSHA explicitly require
the employer to train employees in the safety and health
aspects of their jobs. Other OSHA standards make it the
employer's responsibility to limit certain job assignments
to employees who are "certified," "competent," or
"qualified," meaning that they have had special previous
training. This should be an essential part of every
employer's program for protecting workers from accidents
and illnesses. Many researchers conclude that those who
are new on the job have a higher rate of accidents and
injuries than more experienced workers. This may be
due to ignorance of specific job hazards and/or of proper
work practices, and if so, training may help provide a
solution.
It is a good safety and business practice for employers to
keep records of all safety and health training. Records
can provide evidence of the employer's good faith and
compliance with OSHA standards. Documentation can
also supply an answer to one of the first questions an
accident investigator will ask: "Was the injured employee
properly trained to do the job?"
Training in the proper performance of a job is time and
money well spent, and the employer should regard it as
an investment rather than an expense. An effective
program of safety and health training for workers can
result in fewer accidents and illnesses, improved morale,
and lower insurance premiums, among other benefits.
Safety and Health Program Management
Guidelines
Effective management of worker safety and health
1
protection is a decisive factor in reducing the extent and
severity of work-related injuries and illnesses and related
costs. In 1982, OSHA began to approve worksites with
exemplary safety and health management programs for
participation in Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).
More information on VPP can be obtained from your
OSHA Regional Office listed at the end of this
publication.
In 1989, OSHA issued recommended guidelines for the
effective management and protection of worker safety
and health. These guidelines are summarized in the
following paragraphs.”
General
Employers are advised and encouraged to institute and
maintain in their establishments a program that provides
adequate systematic policies, procedures, and practices
that protect their employees from, and allow them to
recognize, job-related safety and health hazards.
An effective program includes provisions for the
systematic identification, evaluation, and prevention or
control of general workplace hazards, specific job
hazards, and potential hazards that may arise from
foreseeable conditions. -
Although compliance with the law, including specific
OSHA standards, is an important objective, an effective
*The complete original text of the nonmandatory
guidelines is found in the Federal Register (54 FR
(18):3094-3916, January 26, 1989).
2
program looks beyond specific requirements of law to
address all hazards. It will seek to prevent injuries and
illnesses, whether or not compliance is at issue.
The extent to which the program is described in writing
is less important that how effective it is in practice. As
the size of a worksite or the complexity of a hazardous
operation increases, however, the need for written
guidance increases to ensure clear communication of
policies and priorities as well as a consistent and fair
application of rules.
Major Elements
An effective occupational safety and health program will
include the four main elements discussed below.
1. Management Commitment and Employee
Involvement
The elements of management commitment and employee
involvement are complementary and form the core of any
Occupational safety and health program. Management's
commitment provides the motivating force and the
resources for organizing and controlling activities within
an organization. In an effective program, management
regards worker safety and health as a fundamental value
of the organization and applies its commitment to safety
and health protection with as much vigor as to other
organizational goals.
Employee involvement provides the means by which
workers develop and/or express their own commitment to
safety and health protection for themselves and for their
fellow workers.
In implementing a safety and health program, there are
various ways to provide commitment and support by
management and employees. Some recommended actions
are described briefly as follows:
e State clearly a worksite policy on safe and healthful
work and working conditions, so that all personnel with
responsibility at the site (and personnel at other locations
with responsibility for the site) fully understand the
priority and importance of safety and health protection in
the organization.
e Establish and communicate a clear goal for the safety
and health program and define objectives for meeting
that goal, so that all members of the organization
understand the results desired and the measures planned
for achieving them.
e Provide visible top management involvement in
implementing the program, so that all employees
understand that management's commitment is serious.
e Arrange for and encourage employee involvement in
the structure and operation of the program and in
decisions that affect their safety and health, so that they
will commit their insight and energy to achieving the
safety and health program's goal and objectives.
e Assign and communicate responsibility for all aspects
of the program, so that managers, supervisors, and
employees in all parts of the organization know what
performance is expected of them.
e Provide adequate authority and resources to
4
responsible parties, so that assigned responsibilities can
be met.
e Hold managers, supervisors, and employees
accountable for meeting their responsibilities, so that
essential tasks will be performed.
• Review program operations at least annually to
evaluate their success in meeting the goals and
objectives, so that deficiencies can be identified and the
program and/or the objectives can be revised when they
do not meet the goal of effective safety and health
protection.
2. Worksite Analysis
A practical analysis of the work environment involves a
variety of worksite examinations in order to identify
existing hazards and conditions and operations in which
changes might occur to create new hazards.
Unawareness of a hazard stemming from failure to
examine the worksite is a sign that safety and health
policies and/or practices are ineffective. Effective
management actively analyzes the work and worksite to
anticipate and prevent harmful occurrences. In order that
all hazards and potential hazards are identified, the
following measures are recommended:
e Conduct comprehensive baseline worksite surveys for
safety and health and periodic comprehensive update
surveys.
e Analyze planned and new facilities, processes,
materials, and equipment.
• Perform routine job hazard analyses.
e Conduct regular site safety and health inspections so
that new or previously missed hazards and failures in
hazard controls are identified.
e Provide a reliable system for employees to notify
management personnel about conditions that appear
hazardous and to receive timely and appropriate
responses and encourage employees to use the system
without fear of reprisal. This utilizes employee insight
and experience in safety and health protection and
allows employee concerns to be addressed.
e Investigate accidents and "near miss" incidents so that
their causes and means for their prevention can be
identified.
e Analyze injury and illness trends over time so that
patterns with common causes can be identified and
prevented.
3. Hazard Prevention and Control
Where feasible, workplace hazards are prevented by
effective design of the job site or job. Where it is not
feasible to eliminate such hazards, they must be
controlled to prevent unsafe and unhealthful exposure.
Elimination or control must be accomplished in a timely
manner once a hazard or potential hazard is recognized.
Specifically, as part of the program, employers should
establish procedures to correct or control present or
potential hazards in a timely manner. These procedures
should include measures such as the following:
6
• Using engineering techniques where feasible and
appropriate.
e Establishing, at the earliest time, safe work practices
and procedures that are understood and followed by all
affected parties. Understanding and compliance are a
result of training, positive reinforcement, correction of
unsafe performance, and if necessary, enforcement
through a clearly communicated disciplinary system.
e Providing personal protective equipment when
engineering controls are infeasible.
e Using administrative controls, such as reducing the
duration of exposure.
Q Maintaining the facility and equipment to prevent
equipment breakdowns.
e Planning and preparing for emergencies, and
conducting training and emergency drills, as needed, to
ensure that proper responses to emergencies will be
"second nature" for all persons involved.
e Establishing a medical program that includes first aid
Onsite as well as nearby physician and emergency
medical care to reduce the risk of any injury or illness
that occurs.
4. Safety and Health Training
Training is an essential component of an effective safety
and health program. Training addresses the safety and
health responsibilities of both management and
7
employees at the site, salaried and hourly. Training is
often most effective when incorporated into other
education on performance requirements and job practices.
The complexity of training depends on the size and
complexity of the worksite as well as the characteristics
of the hazards and potential hazards at the site.
Employee Training. Employee training
programs should be designed to ensure that all
employees understand and are aware of the hazards to
which they may be exposed and the proper methods for
avoiding such hazards.
Supervisory Training. Supervisors should be
trained to understand the key role they play in jobsite
safety, to enable them to carry out their safety and
health responsibilities effectively. Training programs for
supervisors should include the following:
e Analyzing the work under their supervision to
anticipate and identify potential hazards.
e Maintaining physical protections in their work areas.
e Reinforcing employee training on the nature of
potential hazards in their work and on needed protective
measures, through continual performance feedback and, if
necessary, through enforcement of safe work practices.
e Understanding their safety and health responsibilities.
Subpart A–General Provisions
§ 1915.1—Purpose and Authority
The provisions in this part constitute safety and health reg-
ulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to section 41 of
the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation
Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 941) and occupational safety
and health standards issued by the Secretary pursuant to
section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970 (29 U.S.C. 655).
§ 1915.2—Scope and Application
(a) Except where otherwise provided, the provisions of this
part shall apply to all ship repairing, shipbuilding and
shipbreaking employments and related employments.
(b) This part does not apply to matters under the control
of the United States Coast Guard within the Scope of Title
52 of the Revised Statutes and acts supplementary or
amendatory thereto (46 U.S.C. secs. 1–1388 passim)
including, but not restricted to, the master, ship's officer,
crew members, design, construction and maintenance of
the vessel, its gear and equipment; to matters within the
regulatory authority of the United States Coast Guard to
safeguard vessels, harbors, ports and waterfront facilities
under the provisions of the Espionage Act of June 17,
1917, as amended (50 U.S.C. 191 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 401 et
seq.); including the provisions of Executive Order 101.73,
as amended by Executive Orders 10277 and 10352 (3 CFR,
1949–1953 Comp., pp. 356, 778 and 873); or to matters
within the regulatory authority of the United States Coast
Guard with respect to lights, warning devices, safety equip-
ment and other matters relating to the promotion of safety
of lives and property under section 4(e) of the Outer Con-
tinental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1333).
9
§ 1915.3—Responsibility
(a) The responsibility for compliance with the regulations
of this part is placed upon “employers” as defined in
§ 1915.4.
(b) This part does not apply to owners, operators, agents
or masters of vessels unless such persons are acting as
“employers.” However, this part is not intended to relieve
OWners, Operators, agents or masters of vessels who are not
“employers” from responsibilities or duties now placed
upon them by law, regulation or custom.
(c) The responsibilities placed upon the competent person
herein shall be deemed to be the responsibilities of the
employer.
§ 1915.4—Definitions
(a) The term “shall” indicates provisions which are
mandatory.
(b) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor.
(c) The term “employer” means an employer, any of whose
employees are employed, in whole or in part, in ship
repairing, shipbuilding, shipbreaking or related employ-
ments as defined in this section on the navigable waters of
the United States, including dry docks, graving docks and
marine railways.
(d) The term “employee” means any person engaged in
ship repairing, shipbuilding, shipbreaking or related
employments on the navigable waters of the United States,
including dry docks, graving docks and marine railways,
other than the master, ship's officers, crew of the vessel, or
10
any person engaged by the master to repair any vessel
under 18 net tons.
(e) The term “gangway” means any ramp-like or stair-like
means of access provided to enable personnel to board or
leave a vessel including accommodation ladders, gang-
planks and brows.
(f) The term “vessel” includes every description of water-
craft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of
being used, as a means of transportation on water, includ-
ing special purpose floating structures not primarily
designed for or used as a means of transportation on
Water.
(g) For purposes of § 1915.74, the term “barge” means an
unpowered, flat bottom, shallow draft vessel including
Scows, carfloats and lighters. For purposes of this section,
the term does not include ship shaped or deep draft
barges.
(h) For purposes of § 1915.74, the term “river tow boat”
means a shallow draft, low free board, Self-propelled vessel
designed to tow river barges by pushing ahead. For pur-
poses of this section, the term does not include other tow-
ing vessels.
(i) The term “shipyard employment” means ship repairing,
shipbuilding, shipbreaking and related employments.
(j) The terms “ship repair” and “ship repairing” mean any
repair of a vessel including, but not restricted to, altera-
tions, conversions, installations, cleaning, painting, and
maintenance work.
(k) The term “Shipbuilding” means the construction of a
vessel, including the installation of machinery and
equipment. *
11
(l) The term “shipbreaking” means any breaking down of
a vessel's structure for the purpose of Scrapping the Vessel,
including the removal of gear, equipment or any compo-
nent part of a vessel.
(m) The term “related employment” means any employ-
ment performed as an incident to or in conjunction with
ship repairing, shipbuilding or shipbreaking work, includ-
ing, but not restricted to, inspection, testing, and employ-
ment as a watchman.
(n) The term “hazardous substance” means a substance
which by reason of being explosive, flammable, poisonous,
corrosive, oxidizing, irritant, or otherwise harmful is likely
to cause injury.
(o) The term “competent person” for purposes of this part
means a person who is capable of recognizing and evaluat-
ing employee exposure to hazardous Substances or to other
unsafe conditions and is capable of Specifying the neces-
sary protection and precautions to be taken to ensure the
safety of employees as required by the particular regulation
under the condition to which it applies. For the purposes
of Subparts B, C, and D of this part, except for
§ 1915.35(b)(8) and Ś 1915.36(a)(5), to which the above
definition applies, the competent person must also meet
the additional requirements of § 1915.7.
(p) The term “confined space” means a compartment of
Small size and limited access such as a double bottom
tank, cofferdam, or other space which by its small size and
confined nature can readily create or aggravate a hazardous
exposure.
(q) The term “enclosed space” means any space, other
than a confined space, which is enclosed by bulkheads and
overhead. It includes cargo holds, tanks, quarters, and
machinery and boiler spaces.
12
(r) The term “hot work” means riveting, welding, burning
or other fire or spark producing operations.
(s) The term “cold work” means any work which does not
involve riveting, welding, burning or other fire or Spark
producing operations.
(t) The term “portable unfired pressure vessel” means any
pressure container or vessel used aboard ship, other than
the ship's equipment, containing liquids or gases under
pressure, excepting pressure vessels built to ICC regulations
under 49 CFR Part 178, Subparts C and H.
(u) The term “powder actuated fastening tool” means a
tool or machine which drives a stud, pin, or fastener by
means of an explosive charge.
(v) For purposes of § 1915.97, the term “hazardous mate-
rial” means a material which has one or more of the fol-
lowing characteristics: (1) Has a flash point below 140°F.,
closed cup, or is subject to Spontaneous heating; (2) has a
threshold limit value below 500 p.p.m. in the case of a gas
or vapor, below 500 mg./m.” for fumes, and below 25
m.p. p.c.f. in case of a dust; (3) has a single dose oral LDso
below 500 mg./kg.; (4) is subject to polymerization with
the release of large amounts of energy; (5) is a strong oxi-
dizing or reducing agent; (6) causes first degree burns to
skin in short time exposure, or is systemically toxic by skin
contact; or (7) in the course of normal operations, may
produce dusts, gases, fumes, vapors, mists, or Smokes
which have one or more of the above characteristics.
13
§ 1915.5—Reference Specifications,
Standards and Codes
Specifications, standards, and codes of agencies of the
U.S. Government, to the extent specified in the text, form
a part of the regulations of this part. In addition, under
the authority vested in the Secretary under the Act, the
specifications, standards, and codes of organizations which
are not agencies of the U.S. Government, in effect on the
date of the promulgation of the regulations of this part as
listed below, to the extent specified in the text, form a part
of the regulations of this part.
National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269. Subpart B,
§ 1915.14(a).
Underwriter’s Laboratories, Inc., 207 East Ohio Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60611, Subpart B, Ś 1915. 13(b) and (f);
Subpart C, SS 1915.35(b)(7), 1915.36(a)(4); Subpart H,
§ 1915.132(a).
American National Standards Institute Safety Code for
Portable Wood Ladders, A14.1–1959, American National
Standards Institute, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New
York 10016, Subpart E. § 1915.72(a)(6).
American National Standards Institute Safety Code for
Portable Metal Ladders, A14.2–1956, American National
Standards Institute, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New
York 10016, Subpart E. § 1915.72(a)(4).
American National Standards Institute Safety Code for
Head, Eye, and Respiratory Protection, Z2.1–1959, Ameri-
can National Standards Institute, 10 East 40th Street, New
York, New York 10016, Subpart I, §§ 1915. 151(a)(1).
1915.153(b). 14
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Rules for Construction
of Unfired Pressure Vessels, 1963, American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, 345 East 47th Street, New York,
New York 10017, Subpart K, $ 1915.172(a).
Threshold Limit Values, 1970, American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1014 Broadway, Cin-
cinnati, Ohio 45202, Subpart B, S 1915.12(a)(3) and (b)(3);
Subpart C, § 1915.32(b).
American National Standards Institute Safety Code for
the Use, Care, and Protection of Abrasive Wheels, B7.1–
1964, United States of America Standards Institute, Inc.,
10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, Subpart
H, S 1915.134(c).
§ 1915.6—Commercial Diving Operations
Commercial diving operations shall be subject to Sub-
part T of Part 1910, §§ 1910.401–1910.441 of this chapter.
§ 1915.7—Competent Person
(a) Designation.
(1) For the purposes of Subparts B, C, D, and H of this
part, except for SS 1915.35(b)(8) and 1915.36(a)(5), one
or more competent persons shall be designated by the
employer in accordance with the applicable requirements
of this section unless the requirements of Subparts B, C,
D, and H of this part are always carried out by a
National Fire Protection Association Certified Marine
Chemist. 15
(2) The employer shall indicate on U.S. Department of
Labor Form OSHA 73 “Designation of Competent
Person” either those employees designated as competent
persons or that the prescribed functions of such persons
are always carried out by a National Fire Protection
Association Certified Marine Chemist in addition to his
professional duties. When additions or changes are made
in the personnel so designated, a new Form OSHA 73
shall be executed. A copy of this executed form shall be
forwarded to the nearest Area Office of the Occupa-
tional Safety and Health Administration.
(b) Criteria. The following criteria shall guide the employer
in designating employees as competent persons:
(1) Ability to understand the meaning of designations on
certificates and of any qualifications relating thereto and
to carry out any instructions, either written or oral, left
by the National Fire Protection Association Certified
Marine Chemist or person authorized by the U.S. Coast
Guard referred to in § 1915. 14.
(2) Ability to use and interpret the readings of an oxygen
indicator and a combustible gas indicator. The ability to
use and interpret the readings of a carbon monoxide
indicator and a carbon dioxide indicator, if the opera-
tions involved such hazardous gases.
(3) Familiarity with and understanding of Subparts B, C,
D, and H of this part.
(4) Familiarity with the structure and knowledge of the
location and designation of spaces of the types of vessels
on which repair work is done.
(5) Capability to perform the tests and inspections
required by Subparts B, C, D, and H of this part and to
write the required logs.
(c) Logging of inspections and tests.
(1) When tests and inspections required to be performed
by a competent person by any provisions of Subparts B,
C, D, and H of this part, except those referred to in
§§ 1915.35(b)(8) and 1915.36(a)(5) are made, a record of
the locations, operations performed and date, time, and
results of the tests and any instructions resulting there-
from shall be recorded on U.S. Department of Labor
Form OSHA 74, “Log of Inspections and Tests by Com-
petent Person.” A separate form shall be used for each
vessel on which tests and inspections are made.
(2) This record shall be available for inspection in the
immediate vicinity of the affected operations while they
are in progress. This record or copy thereof shall be kept
on file for a period of at least three months from the
date of the completion of the job.
(3) A copy of any certificate issued in accordance with
§ 1915.14 and of any instructions issued by the National
Fire Protection ASSociation Certified Marine Chemist
shall be kept on file with the log for a period of at least
three months from the date of the completion of the
job. The certificate and instructions issued by the person
doing the fumigation referred to in § 1915.12(b)(1)(ii)
shall also be kept on file for a period of at least 3
months from the date of the completion of the job.
(d) Application. The provisions of this section are intended
to apply in their entirety to employers engaged in general
ship repair, shipbuilding and shipbreaking. They do not
apply in their entirety to employers whose work involves
only certain portions of Subparts B, C, or D of this part,
such as repair work on Small craft in boat yards where
only combustible gas indicator tests are necessary for fuel
tank leaks or when using flammable paints below decks,
the building of some wooden vessels where only knowledge
17
of the precautions to be taken when using flammable
paints is necessary and the breaking of vessels with no
exposure to fuel oil or other flammable hazards. In such
cases, employers may designate persons who are competent
on the basis of the applicable portions of the criteria Set
forth in paragraph. (b) of this section.
Subpart B–Explosive and Other Dangerous
Atmospheres
§ 1915.11—Scope and Application of
Subpart
Sections 1915.12 through 1915.15 of this subpart shall
apply to ship repairing and shipbreaking and shall not
apply to shipbuilding. Section 1915.16 shall apply only to
ship repairing.
§ 1915.12–Precautions Before Entering
(a) Flammable atmospheres and residues.
(1) Before employees are initially permitted to enter any
of the ship's spaces designated in paragraphs (a)(1)(i)
and (ii) of this section, the atmosphere within the space
to be entered shall be tested by a competent person to
determine the concentration of flammable vapors or
gases within the space.
(i) Cargo Spaces or other spaces containing or having
last contained combustible or flammable liquids or
gases in bulk.
(ii) Spaces immediately adjacent to those described in
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section.
18
(2) If the tests indicate that the atmosphere in the space
to be entered contains a concentration of flammable
Vapor or gas greater than 10 percent of the lower explo-
sive limit, the space shall be ventilated to reduce the con-
centration below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit
before men are permitted to enter.
(3) If the atmosphere in the space to be entered is found
to contain a concentration of flammable vapor or gas
below the level immediately dangerous to life as defined
in § 1915. 152(b)(1), but above the threshold limit value,
employees shall be protected in accordance with the
requirements of § 1915. 152(a), and (c), (d), or (e),
whichever is applicable.
(b) Toxic atmospheres and residues.
(1) Before employees are initially permitted to enter any
of the ship's spaces designated in paragraphs (b)(1)(i),
(ii), and (iii) of this section, the atmosphere in the space
to be entered shall be tested for toxic atmospheric con-
taminants, and the Space inspected for the presence of
toxic or corrosive residues by a Marine Chemist, Indus-
trial Hygienist or other person qualified to make these
tests and inspections.
(i) Cargo Spaces or other spaces containing or having
last contained bulk liquids, gases, or solids of a toxic,
corrosive, or irritant nature.
(ii) Spaces which have been fumigated.
(iii) Spaces immediately adjacent to those described in
paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section.
(2) If the tests indicate that the atmosphere in the space
to be entered contains a concentration of toxic contami-
nants above the level which is immediately dangerous to
19
life, the space shall be ventilated to reduce the concen-
tration below the level immediately dangerous to life as
defined in § 1915.152(b)(1).
(3) If the atmosphere in the space to be entered is found
to contain a concentration of toxic contaminants below
the level immediately dangerous to life as defined in
§ 1915. 152(b)(1), but above the threshold limit value,
employees shall be protected in accordance with the
requirements of § 1915. 152(a), and (c), (d), or (e),
whichever is applicable.
(4) The person qualified to make the tests and inspec-
tions referred to in paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall
make a record of the tests, inspections and instructions
pertaining to paragraph (a)(3) of this Section and para-
graphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section on U.S. Depart-
ment of Labor Form OSHA 74, which shall be available
for inspection and kept on file in accordance with
§ 1915.7(c)(2).
(c) Oxygen deficient atmospheres.
(1) Before employees are initially permitted to enter any
of the ship's spaces designated in paragraphs (c)(1)(i)
through (v) of this section, the atmosphere in the spaces
to be entered shall be tested by a competent person with
an oxygen indicator or other suitable device to ensure
that it contains at least 16.5 percent oxygen.
(i) Spaces in which the test required by paragraphs (a)
and (b) of this section indicate that no flammable or
toxic contaminants are present in the atmosphere.
(ii) Compartments which have been sealed.
(iii) Spaces which have been coated and closed up.
20
(iv) Nonventilated compartments which have been
freshly painted.
(v) Cargo Spaces containing cargoes or residues of car-
goes which absorb oxygen, such as scrap iron, fresh
fruit and molasses, and various vegetable drying oils
in bulk.
(2) If the tests indicate that the atmosphere in the Space
to be entered contains less than 16.5 percent oxygen, the
space shall be ventilated until tests indicate an oxygen
content above this level.
(d) Exceptions. In emergencies and in cases of work of
brief duration necessary to accomplish the ventilation
required or to start operations, work may be performed in
atmospheres containing concentrations of flammable con-
taminants above the upper explosive limit or otherwise
immediately dangerous to life, provided employees are pro-
tected in accordance with the requirements of
§ 1915. 152(a) and (b).
§ 1915.13–Cleaning and Other Cold Work
(a) Employees shall be permitted to perform manual clean-
ing to remove residue materials, Scale, and debris or to per-
form other cold work in spaces described in
§ 1915.12(a)(1)(i) and (ii) and (b)(1)(i) through (iii) before
they have been certified as gas free only under the follow-
ing conditions:
(1) Liquid residues of flammable and toxic materials
shall be removed from the spaces as thoroughly as prac-
ticable before employees start actual cleaning operations
in these spaces. Drippings and spills of these materials
on deck or elsewhere alongside the vessel shall be
cleaned up as the work progresses. Special care shall be
21
taken to prevent the spilling or the draining of these
materials into the water surrounding the vessel.
(2) Continuous natural or mechanical ventilation shall be
provided, to keep the concentration of flammable vapors
below ten (10) percent of the lower explosive limit in all
parts of the space: Provided, That if, because of the
high volatility of the residues, a uniform concentration
of less than ten (10) percent of the lower explosive limit
cannot be achieved, sufficient exhaust ventilation shall
be provided to reduce the concentration to or below that
level in the major portions of the compartment.
(3) Tests shall be made by a competent person prior to
commencement of cold work and with sufficient fre-
quency thereafter, in accordance with temperature, vola-
tility of the residues and other existing conditions in and
about the spaces, to ensure that the concentration stated
in paragraph (a)(2) of this section is not exceeded.
(4) Cold work only shall be permitted.
(5) Tests shall be made by a competent person to ensure
that the exhaust vapors from these spaces are not accu-
mulating in other areas within or around the vessel,
marine railway, drydock, graving dock, or under the pier
where sources of ignition may be present. Should such
accumulations be found, any sources of ignition within
the affected area shall be removed or extinguished.
(b) Only approved explosion-proof, self-contained, battery-
fed, portable lamps shall be used in spaces described in
paragraph (a) of § 1915.14 before the spaces have been
certified as “Safe for Men.” Battery-fed, portable lamps
bearing the approval of the Underwriters’ Laboratories for
use in Class I, Group D atmospheres, or approved as per-
missible by the Mine Safety and Health Administration,
and such lamps listed by the U.S. Coast Guard as approved
22
for such use are deemed to meet the requirements of this
paragraph.
(c) Signs shall be posted on the open deck adjacent to the
access to spaces described in paragraph (a) of § 1915.14
prohibiting Smoking and the use of open flames.
(d) The metallic parts of air moving devices, including
fans, blowers, and jet-type air movers, and all duct work
shall be electrically bonded to the vessel’s structure.
(e) All motors and control equipment shall be of the
explosion-proof type. Fans shall have nonferrous blades.
Portable air ducts shall also be of nonferrous materials.
All motors and associated control equipment shall be prop-
erly maintained and grounded.
(f) In spaces described in paragraph (a) of § 1915.14 which
have been certified “Safe for Men,” either battery lamps or
explosion-proof lights, approved by the Underwriters’ Lab-
oratories for use in Class I, Group D atmospheres, or
approved as permissible by the Mine Safety and Health
Administration or the U.S. Coast Guard, shall be used:
Provided, The lights are mounted to the space openings
from the exterior, or suspended within the space with the
cables so led as to protect them from injury.
(g) In spaces certified “Safe for Fire” nonexplosion-proof
lights may be used.
§ 1915.14—Certification Before Hot Work is
Begun
Paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section apply to ship
repairing and shipbreaking. Paragraph (d) of this section
applies to shipbreaking only.
23
(a) Employees shall not be permitted to engage in hot Work
or the use of powder actuated fastening tools in or on the
following spaces, boundaries or pipe lines until a certifi-
cate setting forth that the hot work can be done in safety
is issued. Such certificate shall be acceptable only if issued
by a Marine Chemist certificated by the National Fire Pro-
tection Association, except that a certificate issued by
another person authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard pursu-
ant to the provisions of 46 CFR 35.01–1(c)(1) for tank ves-
sels, 46 CFR 71.60–1(c)(1) for passenger vessels, and 46
CFR 91.50–1(c)(1) for cargo and miscellaneous vessels is
acceptable for a particular inspection:
(1) On tank vessels.
(i) Within or on the boundaries of cargo tanks which
have been used to carry combustible or flammable
liquids and gases in bulk, or within Spaces adjacent to
Such cargo tanks.
(ii) Within or on the boundaries of fuel tanks.
(iii) On pipe lines, heating coils, pumps, fittings, or
other appurtenances connected to such cargo or fuel
tanks.
(2) On dry cargo, miscellaneous and passenger vessels.
(i) Within or on the boundaries of cargo tanks which
have been used to carry combustible or flammable
liquids and gases in bulk.
(ii) Within Spaces adjacent to cargo tanks which have
been used to carry flammable gases, or liquids with a
flash point below 150°F., except where the distance
between such cargo tanks and the work to be
performed is not less than twenty-five (25) feet.
(iii) Within or on the boundaries of fuel tanks.
24
(iv) On pipe lines, heating coils, pumps, fittings, or
other appurtenances connected to such cargo or fuel
tanks.
(b) In dry cargo holds for which a Marine Chemist’s certif-
icate is not required by paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section,
hot work may be performed only after a competent person
has carefully examined the hold and found it to be free of
flammable liquids, gases, and vapors. If flammable liq-
uids, gases, or vapors are found, hot work shall not be
performed within the space until the flammable liquids,
gases, or vapors have been removed and a test indicates
that the space is safe for fire.
(c) Before hot work is performed in engine room and
boiler room spaces of any vessel for which a Marine
Chemist’s certificate is not required by the provision of
paragraph (a) of this section or in fuel tank and engine
compartments of boats, the bilges shall be inspected and
tested by a competent person to ensure that they are free of
flammable liquids, gases, and vapors. If flammable liq-
uids, gases, or vapors are found, hot work shall not be
performed within the space until the flammable liquids,
gases, or vapors have been removed and a test indicates
that the space is safe for fire.
(d) Before hot work is performed from open decks or in
tanks or compartments from which the overhead has been
completely removed, on the boundaries of cargo spaces or
other spaces containing or having last contained combusti-
ble or flammable liquids or gases in bulk, the following
steps shall be taken:
(1) Tests shall be made by a competent person to deter-
mine the concentration of flammable vapors in these
spaces. The permissible level of concentration of flam-
mable vapors shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the
lower explosive limit in all parts of the spaces.
25
(2) When the tests indicate that a space contains a con-
centration of flammable vapors above the permissible
concentration, the space shall be inerted with a nonflam-
mable gas or with water, or sufficient ventilation shall be
provided to reduce the concentration below the permissi-
ble level.
(3) When the bottom of a space contains flammable resi-
dues, it shall be flooded with water to cover all parts of
the space to a depth of at least one (1) foot unless the
Space is inerted.
§ 1915.15—Maintaining Gas Free
Conditions
Paragraph (a) of this section applies to ship repair only.
Paragraph (b) of this section applies to shipbreaking only.
(a) Requirements applicable to ship repairing only.
(1) Pipe lines which may convey hazardous substances
into the spaces certified “Safe For Men—Safe For Fire”
shall be disconnected or blanked off, or other positive
means shall be used to prevent discharge of hazardous
substances from entering the space. Manholes and other
closures which were secured when tests were made shall
remain secured. If such manholes or other closures are
opened or any manipulation of valves takes place which
tends to alter existing conditions, work in the affected
spaces or areas shall be stopped and not resumed until
such times as the areas have been retested and again cer-
tified “Safe For Men—Safe For Fire” in accordance with
the requirements of § 1915.14(a).
(2) Before hot work is commenced on the weather deck
over spaces which, under these regulations, are not
required to be gas freed or inerted, all valves, closures
26
and vents, except those which are vented up masts, con-
necting with nongas free tanks or compartments below,
shall be closed. Valves, closures and vents shall not be
opened until hot work is completed unless the hot work
is stopped and the work location posted as unsafe for
fire. The latter notice shall not be removed nor hot work
resumed until the area is again made safe.
(3) The employer shall inform masters and chief engi-
neers of vessels of the provisions of this section and
shall confirm that they are aware of their responsibilities
for seeing that their crews understand and obey all warn-
ing signs, tags, and the limitations stated on the marine
chemist’s certificates.
(4) When conditions in a tank are such that there is a
possibility of hazardous vapor being released from resi-
dues or other sources after a marine chemist’s certificate
has been issued, a competent person shall make tests to
insure that the gas-free condition is maintained irrespec-
tive of whether hot work is being performed in the tank.
When the competent person finds that atmospheric con-
ditions have altered, work shall be stopped and a new
marine chemist’s certificate in accordance with the
requirements of § 1915.14(a) shall be obtained before
work is resumed.
(5) Before hot work is begun on any metal covered with
preservative coatings, the requirements of § 1915.53 shall
be met.
(b) Requirements applicable to shipbreaking only.
(1) During the performance of hot work from open
decks or in tanks or compartments from which the over-
head has been completely removed, on the boundaries of
Spaces described in § 1915.14(d), other than those filled
with water, the competent person shall make frequent
tests to ensure that the inert atmosphere is being main-
27
tained or that the concentration of flammable vapors
remains below ten (10) percent of the lower explosive
limit.
(2) When conditions in spaces below decks described in
§ 1915.14(a)(1) and (2) ape such that there is a possibility
of hazardous vapors being released from residues or
other Sources, after a Marine Chemist’s certificate has
been issued, a competent person shall make tests to
ensure that the gas free condition is maintained irrespec-
tive of whether hot work is being performed in or on the
aforementioned spaces. When the competent person
finds that the atmospheric conditions have altered, work
shall be stopped and a new Marine Chemist’s certificate
in accordance with $ 1915.14(a)(1) and (2) shall be
obtained, before work is resumed.
§ 1915.16—Warning Signs
The provisions of this section apply to ship repairing only.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, all
tanks, compartments, or spaces which have been certified
“Safe For Men—Not Safe For Fire” or “Not Safe For
Men—Not Safe For Fire” shall be plainly and conspicu-
ously marked with paint or signs indicating that no hot
work shall be performed on such tanks, compartments, or
spaces or in the vicinity thereof.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, all
tanks, compartments or spaces which have been inerted
with gas or certified “Not Safe For Men—Safe For Fire”
shall be plainly and conspicuously marked with paint or
signs indicating that the tank, compartment or space con-
tains a gas which will not support life or is hazardous to
employees.
28
(c) The warning marks or signs required by paragraphs (a)
and (b) of this section need not be posted on individual
tanks, compartments or spaces if the entire vessel has been
certified “Safe For Men—Not Safe For Fire.” “Not Safe
For Men—Not Safe For Fire” or if the entire vessel has
been inerted or certified “Not Safe For Men—Safe For
Fire;’ and if a sign to this effect is conspicuously posted at
the gangway and at all other means of access to the vessel.
Subpart C–Surface Preparation and Preservation
§ 1915.31—Scope and Application of
Subpart
The standards contained in this subpart shall apply to ship
repairing and shipbuilding and shall not apply to
Shipbreaking.
§ 1915.32—Toxic Cleaning Solvents
(a) When toxic solvents are used, the employer shall
employ one or more of the following measures to
safeguard the health of employees exposed to these
solvents.
(1) The cleaning operation shall be completely enclosed
to prevent the escape of vapor into the working space.
(2) Either natural ventilation or mechanical exhaust ven-
tilation shall be used to remove the vapor at the source
and to dilute the concentration of vapors in the working
Space to a concentration which is safe for the entire
work period.
29
(3) Employees shall be protected against toxic vapors by
suitable respiratory protective equipment in accordance
with the requirements of § 1915. 152 (a) and (c), and,
where necessary, against exposure of skin and eyes to
contact with toxic Solvents and their vapors by suitable
clothing and equipment.
(b) The principles in the threshold limit values to which
attention is directed in § 1915.4 will be used by the Depart-
ment of Labor in enforcement proceedings in defining a
safe concentration of air contaminants.
(c) When flammable solvents are used, precautions shall be
taken in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.36.
§ 1915.33–Chemical Paint and Preservative
Removers
(a) Employees shall be protected against skin contact dur-
ing the handling and application of chemical paint and
preservative removers and shall be protected against eye
injury by goggles or face shields in accordance with the
requirements of § 1915. 151 (a) and (b).
(b) When using flammable paint and preservative remov-
ers, precautions shall be taken in accordance with the
requirements of § 1915.36.
(c) When using chemical paint and preservative removers
which contain volatile and toxic solvents, such as benzol,
acetone and amyl acetate, the provisions of § 1915.32 shall
be applicable.
(d) When using paint and rust removers containing strong
acids or alkalies, employees shall be protected by suitable
face shields to prevent chemical burns on the face and
neck.
30
(e) When steam guns are used, all employees working
within range of the blast shall be protected by suitable face
shields. Metal parts of the steam gun itself shall be insu-
lated to protect the operator against heat burns.
§ 1915.34—Mechanical Paint Removers
(a) Power tools.
(1) Employees engaged in the removal of paints, preser-
vatives, rusts or other coatings by means of power tools
Shall be protected against eye injury by goggles or face
shields in accordance with the requirements of
§ 1915. 151(a).
(2) All portable rotating tools used for the removal of
paints, preservatives, rusts or other coatings shall be
adequately guarded to protect both the operator and
nearby workers from flying missiles.
(3) Portable electric tools shall be grounded in accor-
dance with the requirements of § 1915.132.
(4) In a confined space, mechanical exhaust ventilation
sufficient to keep the dust concentration to a minimum
shall be used, or employees shall be protected by respira-
tory protective equipment in accordance with the require-
ments of § 1915. 152 (a) and (d).
(b) Flame removal.
(1) Hardened preservative coatings shall not be removed
by flame in enclosed spaces unless the employees
exposed to fumes are protected by air line respirators in
accordance with the requirements of § 1915. 152(a).
Employees performing such an operation in the open air,
and those exposed to the resulting fumes, shall be pro-
31
tected by a fume filter type respirator in accordance with
requirements of paragraphs (a) and (d)(2)(iv) of
§ 1915.152.
(2) Flame or heat shall not be used to remove Soft and
greasy preservative coatings.
(c) Abrasive blasting.
(1) Equipment. Hoses and fittings used for abrasive
blasting shall meet the following requirements:
(i) Hoses. Hose of a type to prevent shocks from static
electricity shall be used.
(ii) Hose couplings. Hose lengths shall be joined by
metal couplings Secured to the outside of the hose to
avoid erosion and weakening of the couplings.
(iii) Nozzles. Nozzles shall be attached to the hose by
fittings that will prevent the nozzle from unintention-
ally becoming disengaged. Nozzle attachments shall be
of metal and shall fit onto the hose externally.
(iv) Dead man control. A dead man control device
shall be provided at the nozzle end of the blasting
hose either to provide direct cutoff or to signal the pot
tender by means of a visual and audible signal to cut
off the flow, in the event the blaster loses control of
the hose. The pot tender shall be available at all times
to respond immediately to the signal.
(2) Replacement. Hoses and all fittings used for abrasive
blasting shall be inspected frequently to insure timely
replacement before an unsafe amount of wear has
occurred.
32
(3) Personal protective equipment.
(i) Abrasive blasters working in enclosed spaces shall
be protected by hoods and air fed respirators or by air
helmets of a positive pressure type in accordance with
the requirements of § 1915.152(a).
(ii) Abrasive blasters working in the open shall be pro-
tected as indicated in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section
except that when synthetic abrasives containing less
than one percent free silica are used jointly, filter type
respirators approved jointly by the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health and the Mine
Safety and Health Administration for exposure to lead
dusts may be used in accordance with $ 1915. 152(a)
and (d).
(iii) Employees, other than blasters, including machine
tenders and abrasive recovery men, working in areas
where unsafe concentrations of abrasive materials and
dusts are present shall be protected by eye and respira-
tory protective equipment in accordance with the
requirements of §§ 1915. 151(a) and (b) and
1915. 152(a) and (d).
(iv) The blaster shall be protected against injury from
exposure to the blast by appropriate protective cloth-
ing, including gloves.
(v) Since surges from drops in pressure in the hose line
can be of sufficient proportions to throw the blaster
off the staging, the blaster shall be protected by a
safety belt when blasting is being done from elevations
where adequate protection against falling cannot be
provided by railings.
33
§ 1915.35–Painting
(a) Paints mixed with toxic vehicles or solvents.
(1) When paints mixed with toxic vehicles or solvents are
sprayed, the following conditions shall apply:
(i) In confined spaces, employees continuously
exposed to such spraying shall be protected by air line
respirators in accordance with the requirements of
§ 1915.152(a).
(ii) In tanks or compartments, employees continuously
exposed to such spraying shall be protected by air line
respirators in accordance with the requirements of
§ 1915.152(a). Where mechanical ventilation is pro-
vided, employees shall be protected by respirators in
accordance with the requirements of §§ 1915. 152(a)
and (e).
(iii) In large and well ventilated areas, employees
exposed to such spraying shall be protected by respira-
tors in accordance with the requirements of
§§ 1915. 152(a) and (e).
(2) Where brush application of paints with toxic solvents
is done in confined spaces, or other areas where lack of
ventilation creates a hazard, employees shall be protected
by filter respirators in accordance with the requirements
of §§ 1915.152(a) and (c).
(3) When flammable paints or vehicles are used, precau-
tions shall be taken in accordance with the requirements
of § 1915.36.
(4) The metallic parts of air moving devices, including
fans, blowers, and jet-type air movers, and all duct work
shall be electrically bonded to the vessel’s
Structure.
34
(b) Paints and tank coatings dissolved in highly volatile,
toxic and flammable solvents. Several organic coatings,
adhesives and resins are dissolved in highly toxic, flamma-
ble and explosive solvents with flash points below 80°F.
Work involving such materials shall be done only when all
of the following special precautions have been taken:
(1) Sufficient exhaust ventilation shall be provided to
keep the concentration of solvent vapors below ten (10)
percent of the lower explosive limit. Frequent tests shall
be made by a competent person to ascertain the
concentration.
(2) If the ventilation fails or if the concentration of sol-
vent vapors rises above ten (10) percent of the lower
explosive limit painting shall be stopped and the com-
partment shall be evacuated until the concentration
again falls below ten (10) percent of the lower explosive
limit. If the concentration does not fall when painting is
stopped, additional ventilation to bring the concentra-
tion down to ten (10) percent of the lower explosive limit
shall be provided.
(3) Ventilation shall be continued after the completion of
painting until the space or compartment is gas free. The
final determination as to whether the space or compart-
ment is gas free shall be made after the ventilating
equipment has been shut off for at least 10 minutes.
(4) Exhaust ducts shall discharge clear of working areas
and away from sources of possible ignition. Periodic
tests shall be made to ensure that the exhausted vapors
are not accumulating in other areas within or around the
Vessel or dry dock.
(5) All motors and control equipment shall be of the
explosion-proof type. Fans shall have nonferrous blades.
Portable air ducts shall also be of nonferrous materials.
35
All motors and associated control equipment shall be
properly maintained and grounded.
(6) Only non-sparking paint buckets, spray guns and
tools shall be used. Metal parts of paint brushes and
rollers shall be insulated. Staging shall be erected in a
manner which ensures that it is non-sparking.
(7) Only explosion-proof lights, approved by the Under-
writers’ Laboratories for use in Class I, Group D atmo-
spheres, or approved as permissible by the Mine Safety
and Health Administration or the U.S. Coast Guard,
shall be used.
(8) A competent person shall inspect all power and light-
ing cables to ensure that the insulation is in excellent
condition, free of all cracks and worn spots, that there
are no connections within fifty (50) feet of the opera-
tion, that lines are not overloaded, and that they are sus-
pended with sufficient slack to prevent undue stress or
chafing.
(9) The face, eyes, head, hands, and all other exposed
parts of the bodies of employees handling such highly
volatile paints shall be protected. All footwear shall be
non-sparking, such as rubbers, rubber boots or rubber
soled shoes without nails. Coveralls or other outer cloth-
ing shall be of cotton. Rubber, rather than plastic, gloves
shall be used because of the danger of static sparks.
(10) No matches, lighted cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, and
no cigarette lighters or ferrous articles shall be taken into
the area where work is being done.
(11) All solvent drums taken into the compartment shall
be placed on nonferrous surfaces and shall be grounded
to the vessel. Metallic contact shall be maintained
between containers and drums when materials are being
transferred from one to another.
36
(12) Spray guns, paint pots, and metallic parts of con-
necting tubing shall be electrically bonded, and the
bonded assembly shall be grounded to the vessel.
(13) All employees continuously in a compartment in
which such painting is being performed, shall be pro-
tected by air line respirators in accordance with the
requirements of § 1915.152(a) and by suitable protective
clothing. Employees entering such compartments for a
limited time shall be protected by filter cartridge type
respirators in accordance with the requirements of
§§ 1915.152(a) and (e).
(14) All employees doing exterior paint spraying with
such paints shall be protected by suitable filter cartridge
type respirators in accordance with the requirements of
§§ 1915. 152(a) and (e) and by suitable protective
clothing.
§ 1915.36—Flammable Liquids
(a) In all cases when liquid solvents, paint and preservative
removers, paints or vehicles, other than those covered by
§ 1915.35(b), are capable of producing a flammable atmo-
sphere under the conditions of use, the following precau-
tions shall be taken:
(1) Smoking, open flames, arcs and spark-producing
equipment shall be prohibited in the area.
(2) Ventilation shall be provided in sufficient quantities
to keep the concentration of vapors below ten (10) per-
cent of their lower explosive limit. Frequent tests shall be
made by a competent person to ascertain the
concentration.
37
(3) Scrapings and rags soaked with these materials shall
be kept in a covered metal container.
(4) Only explosion proof lights, approved by the Under-
writers’ Laboratories for use in Class I, Group D atmo-
spheres, or approved as permissible by the Mine Safety
and Health Administration or the U.S. Coast Guard,
shall be used.
(5) A competent person shall inspect all power and light-
ing cables to ensure that the insulation is in excellent
condition, free of all cracks and worn spots, that there
are no connections within fifty (50) feet of the opera-
tion, that lines are not overloaded, and that they are sus-
pended with sufficient slack to prevent undue stress or
chafing.
(6) Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be imme-
diately available in the work area and shall be
maintained in a state of readiness for instant use.
Subpart D–Welding, Cutting and Heating
§ 1915.51—Ventilation and Protection in
Welding, Cutting and Heating
(a) The provisions of this section shall apply to all ship
repairing, shipbuilding, and shipbreaking operations;
except that paragraph (e) of this section shall apply only to
ship repairing and shipbuilding. Paragraph (g) of this sec-
tion shall apply only to ship repairing.
(b) Mechanical ventilation requirements.
(1) For purposes of this section, mechanical ventilation
shall meet the following requirements:
38
(i) Mechanical ventilation shall consist of either gen-
eral mechanical ventilation systems or local exhaust
Systems.
(ii) General mechanical ventilation shall be of suffi-
cient capacity and so arranged as to produce the num-
ber of air changes necessary to maintain welding
fumes and smoke within safe limits.
(iii) Local exhaust ventilation shall consist of freely
movable hoods intended to be placed by the welder or
burner as close as practicable to the work. This system
shall be of sufficient capacity and so arranged as to
remove fumes and smoke at the source and keep the
concentration of them in the breathing zone within
safe limits.
(iv) Contaminated air exhausted from a working space
shall be discharged into the open air or otherwise clear
of the Source of intake air.
(v) All air replacing that withdrawn shall be clean and
respirable.
(vi) Oxygen shall not be used for ventilation purposes,
comfort cooling, blowing dust or dirt from clothing,
or for cleaning the work area.
(c) Welding, cutting and heating in confined spaces.
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(3) and (d)(2) of
this section either general mechanical or local exhaust
ventilation meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of
this section shall be provided whenever welding, cutting
or heating is performed in a confined space.
(2) The means of access shall be provided to a confined
space and ventilation ducts to this space shall be
arranged in accordance with SS 1915.76(b) (1) and (2).
39
(3) When Sufficient ventilation cannot be obtained with-
out blocking the means of access, employees in the con-
fined space shall be protected by air line respirators in
accordance with the requirements of § 1915. 152(a), and
an employee on the outside of such a confined space
shall be assigned to maintain communication with those
working within it and to aid them in an emergency.
(d) Welding, cutting or heating of metals of toxic
significance.
(1) Welding, cutting or heating in any enclosed spaces
aboard the vessel involving the metals specified below
shall be performed with either general mechanical or
local exhaust ventilation meeting the requirements of
paragraph (a) of this section:
(i) Zinc-bearing base or filler metals or metals coated
with zinc-bearing materials.
(ii) Lead base metals.
(iii) Cadmium-bearing filler materials.
(iv) Chromium-bearing metals or metals coated with
chromium-bearing materials.
(2) Welding, cutting or heating in any enclosed spaces
aboard the vessel involving the metals specified below
shall be performed with local exhaust ventilation in
accordance with the requirements of paragraph (b) of
this section or employees shall be protected by air line
respirators in accordance with the requirements of
§ 1915.152(a):
(i) Metals containing lead, other than as an impurity,
or metals coated with lead-bearing materials.
(ii) Cadmium-bearing or cadmium coated base metals.
40
(iii) Metals coated with mercury-bearing metals.
(iv) Beryllium-containing base or filler metals. Because
of its high toxicity, work involving beryllium shall be
done with both local exhaust ventilation and air line
respirators.
(3) Employees performing such operations in the open
air shall be protected by filter type respirators in accor-
dance with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and
(d)(2)(iv) of § 1915. 152, except that employees perform-
ing such operations on beryllium-containing base or
filler metals shall be protected by air line respirators in
accordance with the requirements of § 1915. 152(a).
(4) Other employees exposed to the same atmosphere as
the welders or burners shall be protected in the same
manner as the welder or burner.
(e) Inert-gas metal-arc welding.
(1) Since the inert-gas metal-arc welding process involves
the production of ultraviolet radiation of intensities of 5
to 30 times that produced during shielded metal-arc
welding, the decomposition of chlorinated solvents by
ultraviolet rays, and the liberation of toxic fumes and
gases, employees shall not be permitted to engage in, or
be exposed to the process until the following special pre-
cautions have been taken:
(i) The use of chlorinated solvents shall be kept at
least two hundred (200) feet from the exposed arc, and
surfaces prepared with chlorinated solvents shall be
thoroughly dry before welding is permitted on such
surfaces.
(ii) Helpers and other employees in the area not pro-
tected from the arc by screening as provided in
§ 1915.56(e) shall be protected by filter lenses meeting
41
the requirements of §§ 1915.151 (a) and (c). When
two or more welders are exposed to each other’s arc,
filter lens goggles of a suitable type meeting the
requirements of §§ 1915.151 (a) and (c) shall be worn
under welding helmets or hand shields to protect the
welder against flashes and radiant energy when either
the helmet is lifted or the shield is removed.
(iii) Welders and other employees who are exposed to
radiation shall be suitably protected so that the skin is
covered completely to prevent burns and other damage
by ultraviolet rays. Welding helmets and hand shields
shall be free of leaks and openings, and free of highly
reflective surfaces.
(iv) When inert-gas metal-arc welding is being per-
formed on stainless steel, the requirements of para-
graph (d)(2) of this section shall be met to protect
against dangerous concentrations of nitrogen dioxide.
(f) General welding, cutting, and heating.
(1) Welding, cutting and heating not involving conditions
or materials described in paragraphs (c), (d) or (e) of
this section may normally be done without mechanical
ventilation or respiratory protective equipment, but
where, because of unusual physical or atmospheric con-
ditions, an unsafe accumulation of contaminants exists,
suitable mechanical ventilation or respiratory protective
equipment shall be provided.
(2) Employees performing any type of welding, cutting
or heating shall be protected by suitable eye protective
equipment in accordance with the requirements of
§§ 1915.151 (a) and (c).
42
(g) Residues and cargoes of metallic ores.
(1) Residues and cargoes of metallic ores of toxic signifi-
cance shall be removed from the area or protected from
the heat before ship repair work which involves welding,
cutting or heating is begun.
§ 1915.52—Fire Prevention"
(a) Paragraph (a) applies to ship repairing, shipbuilding
and shipbreaking, and paragraph (b) applies to ship repair-
ing and shipbuilding only.
(1) When practical, objects to be welded, cut or heated
shall be moved to a designated safe location or, if the
object to be welded, cut or heated cannot be readily
moved, all movable fire hazards including residues of
combustible bulk cargoes in the vicinity shall be taken to
a Safe place.
(2) If the object to be welded, cut or heated cannot be
moved and if all the fire hazards including combustible
cargoes cannot be removed, positive means shall be
taken to confine the heat, Sparks, and slag, and to pro-
tect the immovable fire hazards from them.
(3) When welding, cutting or heating is performed on
tank shells, decks, overheads and bulkheads, since direct
penetration of sparks or heat transfer may introduce a
fire hazard to an adjacent compartment, the same pre-
cautions shall be taken on the opposite side as are taken
on the side on which the welding is being performed.
'46 CFR 146.02–20 contains Coast Guard regulations pertaining to
welding and cutting while explosives and dangerous cargoes are being
handled.
43
(4) In order to eliminate the possibility of fire in con-
fined Spaces as a result of gas escaping through leaking
or improperly closed torch valves, the gas supply to the
torch shall be positively shut off at some point outside
the confined space whenever the torch is not to be used
or whenever the torch is left unattended for a substantial
period of time, such as during the lunch hour. Overnight
and at the change of shifts, the torch and hose shall be
removed from the confined space. Open end fuel gas
and oxygen hoses shall be immediately removed from
confined spaces when they are disconnected from the
torch or other gas consuming device.
(b) The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to ship
repairing and Shipbuilding only.
(1) No welding, cutting or heating shall be done where
the application of flammable paints or the presence of
other flammable compounds or of heavy dust concen-
trate creates a hazard.
(2) Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be imme-
diately available in the work area and shall be main-
tained in a state of readiness for instant use. In addition,
when hot work is being performed aboard a vessel and
pressure is not available on the vessel’s fire system, an
auxiliary supply of water shall be made available where
practicable, consistent with avoiding freezing of the lines
or hose.
(3) When the welding, cutting, or heating operation is
such that normal fire prevention precautions are not suf-
ficient, additional personnel shall be assigned to guard
against fire while the actual welding, cutting, or heating
operation is being performed and for a sufficient period
of time after completion of the work to insure that no
possibility of fire exists. Such personnel shall be
instructed as to the specific anticipated fire hazards and
how the fire fighting equipment provided is to be used.
44
(4) Vaporizing liquid extinguishers shall not be used in
enclosed spaces.
(5) Except when the contents are being removed or trans-
ferred, drums, pails, and other containers which contain
or have contained flammable liquids shall be kept
closed. Empty containers shall be removed to a safe area
apart from hot work operations, or open flames.
(c) In all cases, suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall
be immediately available in the work area and shall be
maintained in a state of readiness for instant use. Person-
nel assigned to contain fires within controllable limits shall
be instructed as to the specific anticipated fire hazards and
how the fire fighting equipment provided is to be used.
The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to shipbreak-
ing only.
§ 1915.53–Welding, Cutting and Heating in
Way of Preservative Coatings
(a) The provisions in this section shall apply to all ship
repairing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking operations except
for paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section which shall apply
to ship repairing and shipbuilding and shall not apply to
Shipbreaking.
(b) Before welding, cutting or heating is commenced on
any surface covered by a preservative coating whose flam-
mability is not known, a test shall be made by a competent
person to determine its flammability. Preservative coatings
shall be considered to be highly flammable when scrapings
burn with extreme rapidity.
(c) Precautions shall be taken to prevent ignition of highly
flammable hardened preservative coatings. When coatings
are determined to be highly flammable they shall be
45
stripped from the area to be heated to prevent ignition, or,
where shipbreaking is involved, the coatings may be
burned away under controlled conditions. A 1% inch or
larger fire hose with fog nozzle, which has been uncoiled
and placed under pressure, shall be immediately available
for instant use in the immediate vicinity, consistent with
avoiding freezing of the hose.
(d) Protection against toxic preservative coatings.
(1) In enclosed spaces, all surfaces covered with toxic
preservatives shall be stripped of all toxic coatings for a
distance of at least 4 inches from the area of heat appli-
cation or the employees shall be protected by air line
respirators meeting the requirements of § 1915.152(a).
(2) In the open air, employees shall be protected by a
filter type respirator in accordance with the requirements
of §§ 1915.152 (a) and (d).
(e) Before welding, cutting or heating is commenced in
enclosed spaces on metals covered by soft and greasy pre-
servatives, the following precautions shall be taken:
(1) A competent person shall test the atmosphere in the
space to ensure that it does not contain explosive vapors,
since there is a possibility that some soft and greasy pre-
servatives may have flash points below temperatures
which may be expected to occur naturally. If such vapors
are determined to be present, no hot work shall be com-
menced until such precautions have been taken as will
ensure that the welding, cutting or heating can be per-
formed in Safety.
(2) The preservative coatings shall be removed for a suf-
ficient distance from the area to be heated to ensure that
the temperature of the unstripped metal will not be
appreciably raised. Artificial cooling of the metal sur-
rounding the heated area may be used to limit the size of
46
the area required to be cleaned. The prohibition con-
tained in § 1915.34(b)(2) shall apply.
(f) Immediately after welding, cutting or heating is com-
menced in enclosed spaces on metal covered by Soft and
greasy preservatives, and at frequent intervals thereafter, a
competent person shall make tests to ensure that no flam-
mable vapors are being produced by the coatings. If Such
vapors are determined to be present, the operation shall be
stopped immediately and shall not be resumed until Such
additional precautions have been taken as are necessary to
ensure that the operation can be resumed safely.
§ 1915.54–Welding, Cutting and Heating of
Hollow Metal Containers and Structures Not
Covered by § 1915.12
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, Shipbuilding or shipbreaking.
(a) Drums, containers, or hollow structures which have
contained flammable substances shall, before welding, cut-
ting, or heating is undertaken on them, either be filled
with water or thoroughly cleaned of such substances and
ventilated and tested.
(b) Before heat is applied to a drum, container, or hollow
Structure, a vent or opening shall be provided for the
release of any built-up pressure during the application of
heat.
(c) Before welding, cutting, heating or brazing is begun on
Structural voids such as Skegs, bilge keels, fair waters,
masts, booms, Support stanchions, pipe stanchions or rail-
ings, a competent person shall inspect the object and, if
necessary, test it for the presence of flammable liquids or
47
vapors. If flammable liquids or vapors are present, the
object shall be made safe.
(d) Objects such as those listed in paragraph (c) of this
Section shall also be inspected to determine whether water
or other non-flammable liquids are present which, when
heated, would build up excessive pressure. If such liquids
are determined to be present, the object shall be vented,
cooled, or otherwise made safe during the application of
heat.
(e) Jacketed vessels shall be vented before and during weld-
ing, cutting or heating operations in order to release any
pressure which may build up during the application of
heat.
§ 1915.55–Gas Welding and Cutting
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, Shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) Transporting, moving and storing compressed gas
cylinders.
(1) Valve protection caps shall be in place and Secure.
Oil shall not be used to lubricate protection caps.
(2) When cylinders are hoisted, they shall be secured on
a cradle, slingboard or pallet. They shall not be hoisted
by means of magnets or choker slings.
(3) Cylinders shall be moved by tilting and rolling them
on their bottom edges. They shall not be intentionally
dropped, struck, or permitted to strike each other
violently.
(4) When cylinders are transported by vehicle, they shall
be secured in position.
48
(5) Valve protection caps shall not be used for lifting cyl-
inders from one vertical position to another. Bars shall
not be used under Valves or valve protection caps to pry
cylinders loose when frozen. Warm, not boiling, water
shall be used to thaw cylinders loose.
(6) Unless cylinders are firmly secured on a special car-
rier intended for this purpose, regulators shall be
removed and valve protection caps put in place before
cylinders are moved. -
(7) A suitable cylinder truck, chain, or other steadying
device shall be used to keep cylinders from being
knocked over while in use.
(8) When work is finished, when cylinders are empty or
when cylinders are moved at any time, the cylinder
valves shall be closed.
(9) Acetylene cylinders shall be secured in an upright
position at all times except, if necessary, for short peri-
ods of time while cylinders are actually being hoisted or
carried.
(b) Placing cylinders.
(1) Cylinders shall be kept far enough away from the
actual welding or cutting operation so that sparks, hot
slag or flame will not reach them. When this is impracti-
cal, fire resistant shields shall be provided.
(2) Cylinders shall be placed where they cannot become
part of an electrical circuit. Electrodes shall not be
struck against a cylinder to Strike an arc.
(3) Fuel gas cylinders shall be placed with valve end up
whenever they are in use. They shall not be placed in a
location where they would be subject to open flame, hot
metal, or other sources of artificial heat.
49
(4) Cylinders containing oxygen or acetylene or other
fuel gas shall not be taken into confined spaces.
(c) Treatment of cylinders.
(1) Cylinders, whether full or empty, shall not be used as
rollers or supports.
(2) No person other than the gas supplier shall attempt
to mix gases in a cylinder. No one except the owner of
the cylinder or person authorized by him shall refill a
cylinder. No one shall use a cylinder’s contents for pur-
poses other than those intended by the supplier. Only
cylinders bearing Interstate Commerce Commission iden-
tification and inspection markings shall be used.
(3) No damaged or defective cylinder shall be used.
(d) Use of fuel gas. The employer shall thoroughly instruct
employees in the safe use of fuel gas, as follows:
(1) Before connecting a regulator to a cylinder Valve, the
valve shall be opened slightly and closed immediately.
(This action is generally termed “cracking” and is
intended to clear the valve of dust or dirt that might
otherwise enter the regulator.) The person cracking the
valve shall stand to one side of the outlet, not in front
of it. The valve of a fuel gas cylinder shall not be
cracked where the gas would reach welding work, sparks,
flame or other possible sources of ignition.
(2) The cylinder valve shall always be opened slowly to
prevent damage to the regulator. To permit quick clos-
ing, valves on fuel gas cylinders shall not be opened
more than 1% turns. When a special wrench is required,
it shall be left in position on the stem of the valve while
the cylinder is in use so that the fuel gas flow can be
shut off quickly in case of an emergency. In the case of
manifolded or coupled cylinders, at least one such
50
wrench shall always be available for immediate use.
Nothing shall be placed on top of a fuel gas cylinder,
when in use, which may damage the safety device or
interfere with the quick closing of the valve.
(3) Fuel gas shall not be used from cylinders through
torches or other devices which are equipped with shutoff
valves without reducing the pressure through a suitable
regulator attached to the cylinder valve or manifold.
(4) Before a regulator is removed from a cylinder valve,
the cylinder valve shall always be closed and the gas
released from the regulator.
(5) If, when the valve on a fuel gas cylinder is opened,
there is found to be a leak around the valve stem, the
valve shall be closed and the gland nut tightened. If this
action does not stop the leak, the use of the cylinder
shall be discontinued, and it shall be properly tagged
and removed from the vessel. In the event that fuel gas
should leak from the cylinder valve rather than from the
valve stem and the gas cannot be shut off, the cylinder
shall be properly tagged and removed from the vessel. If
a regulator attached to a cylinder valve will effectively
stop a leak through the valve seat, the cylinder need not
be removed from the vessel.
(6) If a leak should develop at a fuse plug or other
safety device, the cylinder shall be removed from the
vessel.
(e) Fuel gas and oxygen manifolds.
(1) Fuel gas and oxygen manifolds shall bear the name
of the substance they contain in letters at least one (1)
inch high which shall be either painted on the manifold
or on a sign permanently attached to it.
51
(2) Fuel gas and oxygen manifolds shall be placed in safe
and accessible locations in the open air. They shall not
be located within enclosed spaces.
(3) Manifold hose connections, including both ends of
the supply hose that lead to the manifold, shall be such
that the hose cannot be interchanged between fuel gas
and oxygen manifolds and supply header connections.
Adapters shall not be used to permit the interchange of
hose. Hose connections shall be kept free of grease and
oil.
(4) When not in use, manifold and header hose connec-
tions shall be capped.
(5) Nothing shall be placed on top of a manifold, when
in use, which will damage the manifold or interfere with
the quick closing of the valves.
(f) Hose.
(1) Fuel gas hose and oxygen hose shall be easily distin-
guishable from each other. The contrast may be made by
different colors or by surface characteristics readily dis-
tinguishable by the sense of touch. Oxygen and fuel gas
hoses shall not be interchangeable. A single hose having
more than one gas passage, a wall failure of which
would permit the flow of one gas into the other gas pas-
Sage, shall not be used.
(2) When parallel sections of oxygen and fuel gas hose
are taped together not more than 4 inches out of 8
inches shall be covered by tape.
(3) All hose carrying acetylene, oxygen, natural or man-
ufactured fuel gas, or any gas or substance which may
ignite or enter into combustion or be in any way harmful
to employees, shall be inspected at the beginning of each
shift. Defective hose shall be removed from Service.
52
(4) Hose which has been subjected to flashback or which
shows evidence of severe wear or damage shall be tested
to twice the normal pressure to which it is subject, but
in no case less than two hundred (200) psi. Defective
hose or hose in doubtful condition shall not be used.
(5) Hose couplings shall be of the type that cannot be
unlocked or disconnected by means of a straight pull
without rotary motion.
(6) Boxes used for the Stowage of gas hose shall be
ventilated.
(g) Torches.
(1) Clogged torch tip openings shall be cleaned with suit-
able cleaning wires, drills or other devices designed for
Such purpose.
(2) Torches shall be inspected at the beginning of each
shift for leaking shutoff valves, hose couplings, and tip
connections. Defective torches shall not be used.
(3) Torches shall be lighted by friction lighters or other
approved devices, and not by matches or from hot work.
(h) Pressure regulators. Oxygen and fuel gas pressure regu-
lators including their related gauges shall be in proper
working order while in use.
§ 1915.56—Arc Welding And Cutting
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, Shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
53
(a) Manual electrode holders.
(1) Only manual electrode holders which are specifically
designed for arc welding and cutting and are of a capac-
ity capable of safely handling the maximum rated cur-
rent required by the electrodes shall be used.
(2) Any current carrying parts passing through the por-
tion of the holder which the arc welder or cutter grips in
his hand, and the outer surfaces of the jaws of the
holder, shall be fully insulated against the maximum
voltage encountered to ground.
(b) Welding cables and connectors.
(1) All arc welding and cutting cables shall be of the
completely insulated, flexible type, capable of handling
the maximum current requirements of the work in
progress, taking into account the duty cycle under which
the arc welder or cutter is working.
(2) Only cable free from repair or splices for a minimum
distance of ten (10) feet from the cable end to which the
electrode holder is connected shall be used, except that
cables with standard insulated connectors or with splices
whose insulating quality is equal to that of the cable are
permitted.
(3) When it becomes necessary to connect or splice
lengths of cable one to another, Substantial insulated
connectors of a capacity at least equivalent to that of
the cable shall be used. If connections are effected by
means of cable lugs, they shall be securely fastened
together to give good electrical contact, and the exposed
metal parts of the lugs shall be completely insulated.
(4) Cables in poor repair shall not be used. When a
cable other than the cable lead referred to in paragraph
(b)(2) of this section becomes worn to the extent of
54
exposing bare conductors, the portion thus exposed shall
be protected by means of rubber and friction tapes or
other equivalent insulation.
(c) Ground returns and machine grounding.
(1) A ground return cable shall have a safe current carry-
ing capacity equal to or exceeding the specified maxi-
mum output capacity of the arc welding or cutting unit
which it services. When a single ground return cable serv-
ices more than one unit, its safe current carrying capac-
ity shall equal or exceed the total specified maximum
output capacities of all the units which it services.
(2) Structures or pipe lines, except pipe lines containing
gases of flammable liquids or conduits containing elec-
trical circuits, may be used as part of the ground return
circuit, provided that the pipe or structure has a current
carrying capacity equal to that required by paragraph
(c)(1) of this section.
(3) When a structure or pipe line is employed as a
ground return circuit, it shall be determined that the
required electrical contact exists at all joints. The genera-
tion of an arc, Sparks or heat at any point shall cause
rejection of the structure as a ground circuit.
(4) When a structure or pipe line is continuously
employed as a ground return circuit, all joints shall be
bonded, and periodic inspections shall be conducted to
ensure that no condition of electrolysis or fire hazard
exists by virtue of such use.
(5) The frames of all arc welding and cutting machines
shall be grounded either through a third wire in the
cable containing the circuit conductor or through a sepa-
rate wire which is grounded at the Source of the current.
Grounding circuits, other than by means of the vessel’s
structure, shall be checked to ensure that the circuit
55
between the ground and the grounded power conductor
has resistance low enough to permit sufficient current to
flow to cause the fuse or circuit breaker to interrupt the
Current.
(6) All ground connections shall be inspected to ensure
that they are mechanically strong and electrically ade-
quate for the required current.
(d) Operating instructions. Employers shall instruct
employees in the safe means of arc welding and cutting as
follows:
(1) When electrode holders are to be left unattended, the
electrodes shall be removed and the holders shall be so
placed or protected that they cannot make electrical con-
tact with employees or conducting objects.
(2) Hot electrode holders shall not be dipped in water,
since to do so may expose the arc welder or cutter to
electric shock.
(3) When the arc welder or cutter has occasion to leave
his work or to stop work for any appreciable length of
time, or when the arc welding or cutting machine is to
be moved, the power supply switch to the equipment
shall be opened.
(4) Any faulty or defective equipment shall be reported
to the Supervisor.
(e) Shielding. Whenever practicable, all arc welding and
cutting operations shall be shielded by noncombustible or
flame-proof screens which will protect employees and other
persons working in the vicinity from the direct rays of the
aſ C.
56
§ 1915.57—Uses of Fissionable Material
The provisions of this section apply to ship repairing
and shipbuilding only.
(a) In activities involving the use of and exposure to
Sources of ionizing radiation not only on conventionally
powered but also on nuclear powered vessels, the applica-
ble provisions of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s
Standards for Protection Against Radiation (10 CFR Part
20), relating to protection against occupational radiation
exposure, shall apply.
(b) Any activity which involves the use of radioactive mate-
rial, whether or not under license from the Nuclear Regu-
latory Commission, shall be performed by competent per-
Sons Specially trained in the proper and safe operation of
such equipment. In the case of materials used under Com-
mission license, only persons actually licensed, or compe-
tent persons under direction and supervision of the
licensee, shall perform such work.
Subpart E—Scaffolds, Ladders and Other Working
Surfaces
§ 1915.71—Scaffolds or Staging
(a) Scope and application. The provisions of this section
shall apply to all ship repairing, shipbuilding and
Shipbreaking operations except that paragraphs (b)(8)
through (b)(10) and paragraphs (c) through (f) of this sec-
tion shall only apply to ship repairing and shipbuilding
operations and shall not apply to shipbreaking.
57
(b) General requirements.
(1) All scaffolds and their supports, whether of lumber,
steel or other material, shall be capable of supporting
the load they are designed to carry with a safety factor
of not less than four (4).
(2) All lumber used in the construction of scaffolds shall
be spruce, fir, long leaf yellow pine, Oregon pine or
wood of equal strength. The use of hemlock, short leaf
yellow pine, or short fiber lumber is prohibited.
(3) Lumber dimensions as given in this subpart are nom-
inal except where given in fractions of an inch.
(4) All lumber used in the construction of scaffolds shall
be sound, straight-grained, free from cross grain, shakes
and large, loose or dead knots. It shall also be free from
dry rot, large checks, worm holes or other defects which
impair its strength or durability.
(5) Scaffolds shall be maintained in a safe and Secure
condition. Any component of the scaffold which is bro-
ken, burned or otherwise defective shall be replaced.
(6) Barrels, boxes, cans, loose bricks, or other unstable
objects shall not be used as working platforms or for the
support of planking intended as Scaffolds or working
platforms.
(7) No Scaffold shall be erected, moved, dismantled or
altered except under the Supervision of competent
perSOnS.
(8) No welding, burning, riveting or open flame work
shall be performed on any staging Suspended by means
of fiber rope.
58
(9) Lifting bridles on working platforms suspended from
cranes shall consist of four legs so attached that the Sta-
bility of the platform is assured.
(10) Unless the crane hook has a safety latch or is
moused, the lifting bridles on working platforms SuS-
pended from cranes shall be attached by shackles to the
lower lifting block or other positive means shall be taken
to prevent them from becoming accidentally disengaged
from the crane hook.
(c) Independent pole wood scaffolds.
(1) All pole uprights shall be set plumb. Poles shall rest
on a foundation of sufficient size and strength to distrib-
ute the load and to prevent displacement.
(2) In light-duty scaffolds, not more than 24 feet in
height, poles may be spliced by overlapping the ends not
less than 4 feet and securely nailing them together. A
substantial cleat shall be nailed to the lower section to
form a support for the upper section except when bolted
connections are used.
(3) All other poles to be spliced shall be squared at the
ends of each splice, abutted, and rigidly fastened
together by not less than two cleats securely nailed or
bolted thereto. Each cleat shall overlap each pole end by
at least 24 inches and shall have a width equal to the
face of the pole to which it is attached. The combined
cross sectional area of the cleats shall be not less than
the cross sectional area of the pole.
(4) Ledgers shall extend over two consecutive pole spaces
and shall overlap the poles at each end by not less than
4 inches. They shall be left in position to brace the poles
as the platform is raised with the progress of the work.
Ledgers shall be level and shall be securely nailed or
59
bolted to each pole and shall be placed against the inside
face of each pole.
(5) All bearers shall be set with their greater dimension
vertical and shall extend beyond the ledgers upon which
they rest.
(6) Diagonal bracing shall be provided between the par-
allel poles, and cross bracing shall be provided between
the inner and outer poles or from the outer poles to the
ground.
(7) Minimum dimensions and spacing of members shall
be in accordance with Table E-1 in § 1915.118.
(8) Platform planking shall be in accordance with the
requirements of paragraph (i) of this section.
(9) Backrails and toeboards shall be in accordance with
the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section.
(d) Independent pole metal scaffolds.
(1) Metal scaffold members shall be maintained in good
repair and free of corrosion.
(2) All vertical and horizontal members shall be fastened
together with a coupler or locking device which will
form a positive connection. The locking device shall be
of a type which has no loose parts.
(3) Posts shall be kept plumb during erection and the
scaffold shall be subsequently kept plumb and rigid by
means of adequate bracing.
(4) Posts shall be fitted with bases supported on a firm
foundation to distribute the load. When wooden sills are
used, the bases shall be fastened thereto.
60
(5) Bearers shall be located at each set of posts, at each
level, and at each intermediate level where working plat-
forms are installed.
(6) Tubular bracing shall be applied both lengthwise and
crosswise as required.
(7) Platform planking shall be in accordance with the
requirements of paragraph (h) of this section.
(8) Backrails and toeboards shall be in accordance with
the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section.
(e) Wood trestle and extension trestle ladders.
(1) The use of trestle ladders, or extension sections or
base sections of extension trestle ladders longer than 20
feet is prohibited. The total height of base and extension
may, however, be more than 20 feet.
(2) The minimum dimensions of the side rails of the
trestle ladder, or the base sections of the extension trestle
ladder, shall be as follows:
(i) Ladders up to and including those 16 feet long
shall have side rails of not less than 1%6 × 2% inch
lumber.
(ii) Ladders over 16 feet long and up to and including
those 20 feet long shall have side rails of not less than
1%6 × 3 inch lumber.
(3) The side rails of the extension section of the exten-
sion trestle ladder shall be parallel and shall have mini-
mum dimensions as follows:
(i) Ladders up to and including 12 feet long shall have
side rails of not less than 1%6 × 2% inch lumber.
61
(ii) Ladders over 12 feet long and up to and including
those 16 feet long shall have side rails of not less than
1%6 × 2% inch lumber.
(iii) Ladders over 16 feet long and up to and including
those 20 feet long shall have side rails of not less than
1%6 × 2% inch lumber.
(4) Trestle ladders and base sections of extension trestle
ladders shall be so spread that when in an open position
the spread of the trestle at the bottom, inside to inside,
shall be not less than 5% inches per foot of the length of
the ladder.
(5) The width between the side rails at the bottom of the
trestle ladder or of the base section of the extension tres-
tle ladder shall be not less than 21 inches for all ladders
and sections 6 feet or less in length. For longer lengths
of ladder, the width shall be increased at least 1 inch for
each additional foot of length. The width between the
side rails of the extension section of the trestle ladder
shall be not less than 12 inches.
(6) In order to limit spreading, the top ends of the side
rails of both the trestle ladder and of the base section of
the extension trestle ladder shall be beveled, or of equiv-
alent construction, and shall be provided with a metal
hinge.
(7) A metal spreader or locking device to hold the front
and back sections in an open position, and to hold the
extension section securely in the elevated position, shall
be a component of each trestle ladder or extension
ladder.
(8) Rungs shall be parallel and level. On the trestle lad-
der, or on the base section of the extension trestle ladder,
rungs shall be spaced not less than 8 inches nor more
than 18 inches apart; on the extension section of the
62
extension trestle ladder, rungs shall be spaced not less
than 6 inches nor more than 12 inches apart.
(9) Platform planking shall be in accordance with the
requirements of paragraph (i) of this section, except that
the width of the platform planking shall not exceed the
distance between the siderails.
(10) Backrails and toeboards shall be in accordance with
the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section.
(f) Painters’ suspended scaffolds.
(1) The supporting hooks of swinging scaffolds shall be
constructed to be equivalent in strength to mild steel or
wrought iron, shall be forged with care, shall be not less
than 7% inch in diameter, and shall be secured to a safe
anchorage at all times.
(2) The ropes supporting a swinging scaffold shall be
equivalent in strength to first-grade 34 inch diameter
manila rope properly rigged into a set of standard 6 inch
blocks consisting of at least one double and one single
block.
(3) Manila and wire ropes shall be carefully examined
before each operation and thereafter as frequently as
may be necessary to ensure their safe condition.
(4) Each end of the scaffold platform shall be supported
by a wrought iron or mild steel stirrup or hanger, which
in turn is supported by the suspension ropes.
(5) Stirrups shall be constructed so as to be equivalent in
‘strength to wrought iron 34 inch in diameter.
(6) The stirrups shall be formed with a horizontal bot-
tom member to support the platform, shall be provided
with means to support the guardrail and midrail and
63
shall have a loop or eye at the top for securing the Sup-
porting hook on the block.
(7) Two or more swinging scaffolds shall not at any time
be combined into one by bridging the distance between
them with planks or any other form of platform.
(8) No more than two men shall be permitted to work at
one time on a swinging scaffold built to the minimum
specifications contained in this paragraph. Where heavier
construction is used, the number of men permitted to
work on the scaffold shall be determined by the size and
the safe working load of the scaffold.
(9) Backrails and toeboards shall be in accordance with
the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section.
(10) The Swinging scaffold platform shall be one of the
three types described in paragraphs (f) (11), (12), and
(13) of this section.
(11) The ladder-type platform consists of boards upon a
horizontal ladder-like structure, referred to herein as the
ladder, the side rails of which are parallel. If this type of
platform is used the following requirements shall be met.
(i) The width between the side rails shall be no more
than 20 inches.
(ii) The side rails of ladders in ladder-type platforms
shall be equivalent in strength to a beam of clear
straight-grained spruce of the dimensions contained in
Table E–2 in § 1915.118.
(iii) The side rails shall be tied together with the tie
rods. The tie rods shall be not less than %6 inch in
diameter, located no more than 5 feet apart, pass
through the rails, and be riveted up tight against wash-
ers at both ends.
64
(iv) The rungs shall be of straight-grained oak, ash, or
hickory, not less than 1% inches diameter, with 7% inch
tenons mortised into the side rails not less than % inch
and shall be spaced no more than 18 inches on centers.
(v) Flooring strips shall be spaced no more than %
inch apart except at the side rails, where 1 inch spac-
ing is permissible.
(vi) Flooring strips shall be cleated on their
undersides.
(12) The plank-type platform consists of planks Sup-
ported on the stirrups or hangers. If this type of plat-
form is used, the following requirements shall be met.
(i) The planks of plank-type platforms shall be of not
less than 2 × 10 inch lumber.
(ii) The platform shall be no more than 24 inches in
width.
(iii) The planks shall be tied together by cleats of not
less than 1 × 6 inch lumber, nailed on their under-
sides at intervals of not more than 4 feet.
(iv) The planks shall extend not less than 6 inches nor
more than 18 inches beyond the supporting stirrups.
(v) A cleat shall be nailed across the platform on the
underside at each end outside the stirrup to prevent
the platform from slipping off the stirrup.
(vi) Stirrup supports shall be not more than 10 feet
apart.
(13) The beam-type platform consists of longitudinal
side stringers with cross beams set on edge and spaced
not more than 4 feet apart on which longitudinal plat-
65
form planks are laid. If this type platform is used, the
following requirements shall be met:
(i) The side stringers shall be of sound, straight-
grained lumber, free from knots, and of not less than
2 × 6 inch lumber, set on edge.
(ii) The stringers shall be supported on the stirrups
with a clear span between stirrups of not more than
16 feet.
(iii) The stringers shall be bolted to the stirrups by
U-bolts passing around the stirrups and bolted
through the stringers with nuts drawn up tight on the
inside face.
(iv) The ends of the stringers shall extend beyond the
stirrups not less than 6 inches nor more than 12 inches
at each end of the platform.
(v) The platform shall be supported on cross beams of
2 × 6 inch lumber between the side stringers securely
nailed thereto and spaced not more than 4 feet on
CenterS.
(vi) The platform shall be not more than 24 inches
wide.
(vii) The platform shall be formed of boards 7% inch in
thickness by not less than 6 inches in width, nailed
tightly together, and extending to the outside face of
the stringers.
(viii) The ends of all platform boards shall rest on the
top of the cross beams, shall be securely nailed, and
at no intermediate points in the length of the platform
shall there be any cantilever ends.
66
(g) Horse scaffolds.
(1) The minimum dimensions of lumber used in the con-
struction of horses shall be in accordance with Table E–3
in Ś 1915.118.
(2) Horses constructed of materials other than lumber
shall provide the strength, rigidity and Security required
of horses constructed of lumber.
(3) The lateral spread of the legs shall be equal to not
less than one-third of the height of the horse.
(4) All horses shall be kept in good repair, and shall be
properly secured when used in staging or in locations
where they may be insecure.
(5) Platform planking shall be in accordance with the
requirements of paragraph (i) of this section.
(6) Backrails and toeboards shall be in accordance with
paragraph (j) of this section.
(h) Other types of scaffolds.
(1) Scaffolds of a type for which specifications are not
contained in this section shall meet the general require-
ments of paragraphs (b), (i), and (j) of this section, shall
be in accordance with recognized principles of design
and shall be constructed in accordance with accepted
Standards covering such equipment.
(i) Scaffold or platform planking.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (f)
(11) and (13) of this section, platform planking
shall be of not less than 2 × 10 inch lumber. Plat-
form planking shall be straight-grained and free
67
from large or loose knots and may be either rough
or dressed.
(2) Platforms of staging shall be not less then two
10 inch planks in width except in such cases as the
structure of the vessel or the width of the trestle
ladders make it impossible to provide such a width.
(3) Platform planking shall project beyond the Sup-
porting members at either end by at least 6 inches
but in no case shall project more than 12 inches
unless the planks are fastened to the supporting
members.
(4) Table E—4 in § 1915.118 shall be used as a guide
in determining safe loads for scaffold planks.
(j) Backrails and toeboards.
(1) Scaffolding, staging, runways, or working platforms
which are supported or suspended more than 5 feet
above a solid surface, or at any distance above the water,
shall be provided with a railing which has a top rail
whose upper surface is from 42 to 45 inches above the
upper Surface of the staging, platform, or runway and a
midrail located halfway between the upper rail and the
staging, platform, or runway.
(2) Rails shall be of 2 × 4 inch lumber, flat bar or pipe.
When used with rigid supports, taut wire or fiber rope
of adequate strength may be used. If the distance
between supports is more than 8 feet, rails shall be
equivalent in strength to 2 × 4 inch lumber. Rails shall
be firmly secured. Where exposed to hot work or chemi-
cals, fiber rope rails shall not be used.
(3) Rails may be omitted where the structure of the ves-
sel prevents their use. When rails are omitted, employees
working more than 5 feet above solid surfaces shall be
68
protected by safety belts and life lines meeting the
requirements of § 1915. 154(b), and employees working
over water shall be protected by buoyant work vests
meeting the requirements of § 1915.154(a).
(4) Employees working from Swinging scaffolds which
are triced out of a vertical line below their supports or
from scaffolds on paint floats subject to surging, shall
be protected against falling toward the vessel by a railing
or a safety belt and line attached to the backrail.
(5) When necessary, to prevent tools and materials from
falling on men below, toeboards of not less than 1 × 4
inch lumber shall be provided.
(k) Access to staging.
(1) Access from below to staging more than 5 feet above
a floor, deck or the ground shall consist of well Secured
stairways, cleated ramps, fixed or portable ladders meet-
ing the applicable requirements of § 1915.72 or rigid
type non-collapsible trestles with parallel and level rungs.
(2) Ramps and stairways shall be provided with 36-inch
handrails with midrails.
(3) Ladders shall be so located or other means shall be
taken so that it is not necessary for employees to step
more than one foot from the ladder to any intermediate
landing or platform.
(4) Ladders forming integral parts of prefabricated stag-
ing are deemed to meet the requirements of these
regulations.
(5) Access from above to staging more than 3 feet below
the point of access shall consist of a straight, portable
ladder meeting the applicable requirements of § 1915.72
69
or a Jacob's ladder properly secured, meeting the
requirements of § 1915.74(d).
§ 1915.72–Ladders
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, Shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) General requirements.
(1) The use of ladders with broken or missing rungs or
Steps, broken or split side rails, or other faulty or defec-
tive construction is prohibited. When ladders with such
defects are discovered, they shall be immediately with-
drawn from Service. Inspection of metal ladders shall
include checking for corrosion of interiors of open end,
hollow rungs.
(2) When sections of ladders are spliced, the ends shall
be abutted, and not fewer than 2 cleats shall be securely
nailed or bolted to each rail. The combined cross sec-
tional area of the cleats shall be not less than the cross
sectional area of the side rail. The dimensions of side
rails for their total length shall be those specified in
paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section.
(3) Portable ladders shall be lashed, blocked or otherwise
secured to prevent their being displaced. The side rails of
ladders used for access to any level shall extend not less
than 36 inches above that level. When this is not practi-
cal, grab rails which will provide a secure grip for an
employee moving to or from the point of access shall be
installed.
(4) Portable metal ladders shall be of strength equivalent
to that of wood ladders. Manufactured portable metal
ladders provided by the employer shall be in accordance
70
with the provisions of the American National Standards
Institute Safety Code for Portable Metal Ladders,
A14.2—1972.
(5) Portable metal ladders shall not be used near electri-
cal conductors nor for electric arc welding operations.
(6) Manufactured portable wood ladders provided by the
employer shall be in accordance with the provisions of
the American National Standards Institute Safety Code
for Portable Wood Ladders, A14—1975
(b) Construction of portable wood cleated ladders up to 30
feet in length.
(1) Wood side rails shall be made from West Coast hem-
lock, Eastern spruce, Sitka Spruce, or wood of equiva-
lent strength. Material shall be seasoned, straight-grained
wood, and free from shakes, checks, decay or other
defects which will impair its strength. The use of low
density woods is prohibited.
(2) Side rails shall be dressed on all sides and kept free
of splinters.
(3) All knots shall be sound and hard. The use of mate-
rial containing loose knots is prohibited. Knots shall not
appear on the narrow face of the rail and, when in the
side face, shall not be more than % inch in diameter or
within Ż inch of the edge of the rail or nearer than 3
inches to a tread or rung.
(4) Pitch pockets not exceeding 9% inch in width, 2 inches
in length and 9% inch in depth are permissible in wood
side rails, provided that not more than one such pocket
appears in each 4 feet of length.
(5) The width between side rails at the base shall be not
less than 11% inches for ladders 10 feet or less in length.
71
For longer ladders this width shall be increased at least
% inch for each additional 2 feet in length.
(6) Side rails shall be at least 1% X 3% inches in cross
Section.
(7) Cleats (meaning rungs rectangular in cross section
with the wide dimension parallel to the rails) shall be of
the material used for side rails, straight-grained and free
from knots. Cleats shall be mortised into the edges of
the side rails 9% inch, or filler blocks shall be used on the
rails between the cleats. The cleats shall be secured to
each rail with three 10d common wire nails or fastened
with through bolts or other fasteners of equivalent
Strength. Cleats shall be uniformly spaced not more than
12 inches apart.
(8) Cleats 20 inches or less in length shall be at least 2%2
X 3 inches in cross section. Cleats over 20 inches but
not more than 30 inches in length shall be at least 2%2 ×
3% inches in cross section.
(c) Construction of portable wood cleated ladders from 30
to 60 feet in length.
(1) Ladders from 30 to 60 feet in length shall be in
accordance with the specifications of paragraph (b) of
this section with the following exceptions:
(i) Rails Shall be of not less than 2 × 6 inch lumber.
(ii) Cleats shall be of not less than 1 × 4 inch lumber.
(iii) Cleats shall be nailed to each rail with five 10d
common wire nails or fastened with through bolts or
other fastenings of equivalent strength.
72
§ 1915.73–Guarding of Deck Openings and
Edges
(a) The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing and shipbuilding operations and shall not apply to
Shipbreaking.
(b) When employees are working in the vicinity of flush
manholes and other small openings of comparable size in
the deck and other working surfaces, such openings shall
be suitably covered or guarded to a height of not less than
30 inches, except where the use of such guards is made
impracticable by the work actually in progress.
(c) When employees are working around open hatches not
protected by coamings to a height of 24 inches or around
other large openings, the edge of the opening shall be
guarded in the working area to height of 36 to 42 inches,
except where the use of such guards is made impracticable
by the work actually in progress.
(d) When employees are exposed to unguarded edges of
decks, platforms, flats, and similar flat surfaces, more
than 5 feet above a solid surface, the edges shall be
guarded by adequate guardrails meeting the requirements
of § 1915.71(j) (1) and (2), unless the nature of the work
in progress or the physical conditions prohibit the use or
installation of such guardrails.
(e) When employees are working near the unguarded edges
of decks of vessels afloat, they shall be protected by per-
sonal flotation devices, meeting the requirements of
§ 1915. 154(a).
(f) Sections of bilges from which floor plates or gratings
have been removed shall be guarded by guardrails except
where they would interfere with work in progress. If these
open sections are in a walkway at least two 10-inch planks
73
placed side by side, or equivalent, shall be laid across the
opening to provide a safe walking surface.
(g) Gratings, walkways, and catwalks, from which sections
or ladders have been removed, shall be barricaded with
adequate guardrails.
§ 1915.74—Access to Vessels
(a) Access to vessels afloat. The employer shall not permit
employees to board or leave any vessel, except a barge or
river towboat, until the following requirements have been
met:
(1) Whenever practicable, a gangway of not less than 20
inches walking surface of adequate strength, maintained
in safe repair and safely secured shall be used. If a gang-
way is not practicable, a substantial straight ladder,
extending at least 36 inches above the upper landing sur-
face and adequately secured against shifting or slipping
shall be provided. When conditions are such that neither
a gangway nor a straight ladder can be used, a Jacob's
ladder meeting the requirements of paragraphs (d) (1)
and (2) of this section may be used.
(2) Each side of such gangway, and the turn table if
used, shall have a railing with a minimum height of
approximately 33 inches measured perpendicularly from
rail to walking surface at the stanchion, with a mid rail.
Rails shall be of wood, pipe, chain, wire or rope and
shall be kept taut at all times.
(3) Gangways on vessels inspected and certificated by the
U.S. Coast Guard are deemed to meet the foregoing
requirements, except in cases where the vessel’s regular
gangway is not being used.
74
(4) The gangway shall be kept properly trimmed at all
times.
(5) When a fixed tread accommodations ladder is used,
and the angle is low enough to require employees to
walk on the edge of the treads, cleated duckboards shall
be laid over and secured to the ladder.
(6) When the lower end of a gangway overhangs the
water between the ship and the dock in such a manner
that there is danger of employees falling between the
ship and the dock, a net or other suitable protection
shall be rigged at the foot of the gangway in such a
manner as to prevent employees from falling from the
end of the gangway.
(7) If the foot of the gangway is more than one foot
away from the edge of the apron, the space between
them shall be bridged by a firm walkway equipped with
railings, with a minimum height of approximately 33
inches with midrails on both sides.
(8) Supporting bridles shall be kept clear so as to permit
unobstructed passage for employees using the gangway.
(9) When the upper end of the means of access rests on
or flush with the top of the bulwark, substantial steps
properly secured and equipped with at least one substan-
tial handrail approximately 33 inches in height shall be
provided between the top of the bulwark and the deck.
(10) Obstructions shall not be laid on or across the
gangWay.
(11) The means of access shall be adequately illuminated
for its full length.
(12) Unless the construction of the vessel makes it
impossible, the means of access shall be so located that
75
drafts of cargo do not pass over it. In any event loads
shall not be passed over the means of access while
employees are on it.
(b) Access to vessels in drydock or between vessels. Gang-
ways meeting the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (2),
(9), (10), (11) of this section shall be provided for access
from wingwall to vessel or, when two or more vessels,
other than barges or river towboats, are lying abreast,
from one vessel to another.
(c) Access to barges and river towboats.
(1) Ramps for access of vehicles to or between barges
shall be of adequate strength, provided with side boards,
well maintained and properly secured.
(2) Unless employees can step safely to or from the
wharf, float, barge, or river towboat, either a ramp in
accordance with the requirements of subparagraph (1) of
this paragraph or a safe walkway in accordance with the
requirements of paragraph (a) (7) of this section shall be
provided. When a walkway is impracticable, a substan-
tial straight ladder, extending at least 36 inches above the
upper landing Surface and adequately Secured against
shifting or slipping, shall be provided. When conditions
are such that neither a walkway nor a straight ladder can
be used, a Jacob's ladder in accordance with the require-
ments of paragraph (d) of this section may be used.
(3) The means of access shall be in accordance with the
requirements of paragraphs (a) (9), (10), and (11) of this
Section.
(d) Jacob’s ladders.
(1) Jacob's ladders shall be of the double rung or flat
tread type. They shall be well maintained and properly
Secured.
76
(2) A Jacob's ladder shall either hang without slack from
its lashings or be pulled up entirely.
§ 1915.75—Access to and Guarding of Dry
Docks and Marine. Railways
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) A gangway, ramp or permanent stairway of not less
than 20 inches walking surface, of adequate Strength,
maintained in safe repair and securely fastened, shall be
provided between a floating dry dock and the pier or
bulkhead.
(b) Each side of such gangway, ramp or permanent stair-
way, including those which are used for access to wing
walls from dry dock floors, shall have a railing with a mid
rail. Such railings on gangways or ramps shall be approxi-
mately 42 inches in height; and railings on permanent Stair-
ways shall be not less than approximately 30 or more than
approximately 34 inches in height. Rails shall be of wood,
pipe, chain, wire, or rope, and shall be kept taut at all
times.
(c) Railings meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of
this section shall be provided on the means of access to
and from the floors of graving docks.
(d) Railings approximately 42 inches in height, with a mid
rail, shall be provided on the edges of wing walls of float-
ing dry docks and on edges of graving docks. Sections of
the railings may be temporarily removed where necessary to
permit line handling while a vessel is entering or leaving
the dock.
(e) When employees are working on the floor of a floating
77
dry dock where they are exposed to the hazard of falling
into the water, the end of the dry dock shall be equipped
with portable stanchions and 42 inch railings with a mid
rail. When such a railing would be impracticable or inef-
fective, other effective means shall be provided to prevent
men from falling into the water.
(f) Access to wing walls from floors of dry docks shall be
by ramps, permanent stairways or ladders meeting the
applicable requirements of § 1915.72.
(g) Catwalks on stiles of marine railways shall be no less
than 20 inches wide and shall have on at least one side a
guardrail and midrail meeting the requirements of
§ 1915.71(j) (1) and (2).
§ 1915.76—Access to Cargo Spaces and
Confined Spaces
The provisions of this section apply to ship repairing,
Shipbuilding and shipbreaking except that paragraph (a)(4)
of this section applies to ship repairing only.
(a) Cargo spaces.
(1) There shall be at least one safe and accessible ladder
in any cargo space which employees must enter.
(2) When any fixed ladder is visibly unsafe, the employer
shall prohibit its use by employees.
(3) Straight ladders of adequate strength and suitably
secured against shifting or slipping shall be provided as
necessary when fixed ladders in cargo spaces do not
meet the requirements of paragraph (a) (1) of this sec-
tion. When conditions are such that a straight ladder
78
cannot be used, a Jacob's ladder meeting the require-
ments of § 1915.74(d) may be used.
(4) When cargo is stowed within 4 inches of the back of
ladder rungs, the ladder shall be deemed “unsafe” for
the purpose of this section.
(5) Fixed ladders or straight ladders provided for access
to cargo spaces shall not be used at the same time that
cargo drafts, equipment, materials, scrap or other loads
are entering or leaving the hold. Before using these lad-
ders to enter or leave the hold, the employee shall be
required to inform the winchman of crane signalman of
his intention.
(b) Confined spaces
(1) More than one means of access shall be provided to
a confined space in which employees are working and in
which the work may generate a hazardous atmosphere in
the space except where the structure or arrangement of
the vessel makes this provision impractical.
(2) When the ventilation ducts required by these regula-
tions must pass through these means of access, the ducts
shall be of such a type and so arranged as to permit free
passage of an employee through at least two of these
means of access.
§ 1915.77—Working Surfaces
(a) Paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section shall apply to
ship repairing, Shipbuilding operations and shall not apply
to shipbreaking. Paragraph (e) of this section shall apply to
Shipbuilding, ship repairing and shipbreaking operations.
(b) When firebox floors present tripping hazards of
79
exposed tubing or of missing or removed refractory, suffi-
cient planking to afford safe footing shall be laid while
work is being carried on within the boiler.
(c) When employees are working aloft, or elsewhere at ele-
Vations more than 5 feet above a solid surface, either scaf-
folds or a sloping ladder, meeting the requirements of this
Subpart, shall be used to afford safe footing, or the
employees shall be protected by safety belts and lifelines
meeting the requirements of § 1915.154(b). Employees
visually restricted by blasting hoods, welding helmets, and
burning goggles shall work from scaffolds, not from lad-
ders, except for the initial and final welding or burning
operation to start or complete a job, such as the erection
and dismantling of hung scaffolding, or other similar, non-
repetitive jobs of brief duration.
(d) For work performed in restricted quarters, such as
behind boilers and in between congested machinery units
and piping, work platforms at least 20 inches wide meeting
the requirements of § 1915.71(i)(1) shall be used. Backrails
may be omitted if bulkheading, boilers, machinery units,
or piping afford proper protection against falling.
(e) When employees are boarding, leaving, or working
from Small boats or floats, they shall be protected by per-
sonal flotation devices meeting the requirements of
§ 1915.154.
Subpart F.—General Working Conditions
§ 1915.91—Housekeeping
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repairing,
shipbuilding and shipbreaking except that paragraphs (c)
and (e) of this section do not apply to shipbreaking.
80
(a) Good housekeeping conditions shall be maintained at
all times. Adequate aisles and passageways shall be main-
tained in all work areas. All staging platforms, ramps,
stairways, walkways, aisles, and passageways on vessels or
dry docks shall be kept clear of all tools, materials, and
equipment except that which is in use, and all debris such
as welding rod tips, bolts, nuts, and similar material. Hose
and electric conductors shall be elevated over or placed
under the walkway or working surfaces or covered by ade-
quate crossover planks.
(b) All working areas on or immediately surrounding ves-
Sels and dry docks, graving docks, or marine railways shall
be kept reasonably free of debris, and construction mate-
rial shall be so piled as not to present a hazard to
employees.
(c) Slippery conditions on walkways or working surfaces
shall be eliminated as they occur.
(d) Free access shall be maintained at all times to all exits
and to all fire-alarm boxes or fire-extinguishing equipment.
(e) All oils, paints thinners, solvents, waste, rags, or other
flammable substances shall be kept in fire resistant covered
containers when not in use.
§ 1915.92—Illumination
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repairing,
shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) All means of access and walkways leading to working
areas as well as the working areas themselves shall be ade-
quately illuminated.
81
(b) Temporary lights shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Temporary lights shall be equipped with guards to
prevent accidental contact with the bulb, except that
guards are not required when the construction of the
reflector is such that the bulb is deeply recessed.
(2) Temporary lights shall be equipped with heavy duty
electric cords with connections and insulation
maintained in safe condition. Temporary lights shall not
be suspended by their electric cords unless cords and
lights are designed for this means of suspension. Splices
which have insulation equal to that of the cable are
permitted.
(3) Cords shall be kept clear of working spaces and
walkways or other locations in which they are readily
exposed to damage.
(c) Exposed non-current-carrying metal parts of temporary
lights furnished by the employer shall be grounded either
through a third wire in the cable containing the circuit con-
ductors or through a separate wire which is grounded at
the source of the current. Grounding shall be in
accordance with the requirements of § 1915. 132 (b).
(d) Where temporary lighting from sources outside the ves-
Sel is the only means of illumination, portable emergency
lighting equipment shall be available to provide illumina-
tion for safe movement of employees.
(e) Employees shall not be permitted to enter dark spaces
without a suitable portable light. The use of matches and
open flame lights is prohibited. In nongas free spaces, por-
table lights shall meet the requirements of § 1915.13.
(f) Temporary lighting stringers or streamers shall be so
arranged as to avoid overloading of branch circuits. Each
branch circuit shall be equipped with overcurrent protec-
82
tion of capacity not exceeding the rated current carrying
capacity of the cord used.
§ 1915.93–Utilities
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, Shipbuilding and shipbreaking except that paragraph
(c) of this section applies to ship repairing and shipbuild-
ing only.
(a) Steam supply and hoses.
(1) Prior to supplying a vessel with steam from a source
outside the vessel, the employer shall ascertain from
responsible vessel’s representatives, having knowledge of
the condition of the plant, the safe working pressure of
the vessel’s steam system. The employer shall install a
pressure gauge and a relief valve of proper size and
capacity at the point where the temporary steam hose
joins the vessel’s steam piping system or systems. The
relief valve shall be set and capable of relieving at a pres-
sure not exceeding the safe working pressure of the ves-
Sel’s system in its present condition, and there shall be
no means of isolating the relief valve from the system
which it protects. The pressure gauge and relief valve
shall be located So as to be visible and readily accessible.
(2) Steam hose and fittings shall have a safety factor of
not less than five (5).
(3) When a steam hose is hung in a bight or bights, the
weight shall be relieved by appropriate lines. The hose
shall be protected against chafing.
(4) Steam hose shall be protected from damage and hose
and temporary piping shall be so shielded where passing
through normal work areas as to prevent accidental con-
tact by employees.
83
(b) Electric power.
(1) When the vessel is supplied with electric power from
a source outside the vessel, the following precautions
shall be taken prior to energizing the vessel’s circuits:
(i) If in dry dock, the vessel shall be adequately
grounded.
(ii) The employer shall ascertain from responsible ves-
sel’s representatives, having knowledge of the condi-
tion of the vessel’s electrical system, that all circuits to
be energized are in a safe condition.
(iii) All circuits to be energized shall be equipped with
overcurrent protection of capacity not exceeding the
rated current carrying capacity of the cord used.
(c) Infrared electrical heat lamps.
(1) All infrared electrical heat lamps shall be equipped
with guards that surround the lamps with the exception
of the face, to minimize accidental contact with the
lamps.
§ 1915.94—Work in Confined or Isolated
Spaces
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking. When any work is per-
formed in a confined space, except as provided in
§ 1915.51(c)(3), or when an employee is working alone in
an isolated location, frequent checks shall be made to
ensure the safety of the employees.
84
§ 1915.95—Work On or In the Vicinity of
Radar and Radio
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing and shipbuilding.
(a) No employees other than radar or radio repairmen shall
be permitted to work on masts, king posts or other aloft
areas unless the radar and radio are secured or otherwise
made incapable of radiation. In either event, the radio and
radar shall be appropriately tagged.
(b) Testing of radar or radio shall not be done until the
employer can schedule such tests at a time when no work
is in progress aloft or personnel can be cleared from the
danger area according to minimum safe distances estab-
lished for and based on the type, model, and power of the
equipment.
§ 1915.96–Work In or On Lifeboats
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, shipbuilding, and shipbreaking except that paragraph
(b) of this section applies to ship repairing and shipbuild-
ing only.
(a) Before employees are permitted to work in or on a life-
boat, either stowed or in a suspended position, the
employer shall ensure that the boat is secured
independently of the releasing gear to prevent the boat
from falling due to accidental tripping of the releasing gear
and movement of the davits or capsizing of a boat in
chocks.
(b) Employees shall not be permitted to remain in boats
while the boats are being hoisted into final stowed
position.
85
(c) Employees shall not be permitted to work on the out-
board side of lifeboats Stowed on their chocks unless the
boats are secured by gripes or otherwise secured to prevent
them from Swinging outboard.
§ 1915.97—Health and Sanitation
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, shipbuilding, and shipbreaking except where indicated
otherwise.
(a) The employer shall provide all necessary controls, and
the employees shall be protected by suitable personal pro-
tective equipment against the hazards identified under
§ 1915.99 of this part and those hazards for which specific
precautions are required in Subparts B, C, and D of this
part.
(b) The employer shall provide adequate washing facilities
for employees engaged in the application of paints or coat-
ings or in other operations where contaminants can, by
ingestion or absorption, be detrimental to the health of the
employees. The employer shall encourage good personal
hygiene practices by informing the employees of the need
for removing surface contaminants by thorough washing of
hands and face prior to eating or Smoking.
(c) The employer shall not permit employees to eat or
Smoke in areas undergoing surface preparation or preserva-
tion or where shipbreaking operations produce atmospheric
contaminants.
(d) The employer shall not permit employees engaged in
ship repair work on a vessel to work in the immediate
vicinity of uncovered garbage and shall ensure that employ-
ees working beneath or on the outboard side of a vessel
are not subject to contamination by drainage or waste
from overboard discharges.
(e) No minor under 18 years of age shall be employed in
shipbreaking or related employments.
§ 1915.98—First Aid
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, Shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) Unless a first aid room and a qualified attendant are
close at hand and prepared to render first aid to employees
on behalf of the employer, the employer shall furnish a
first aid kit for each vessel on which work is being per-
formed except that when work is being performed on more
than one Small vessel at one pier, only one kit shall be
required. The kit, when required, shall be kept close to the
vessel and at least one employee, close at hand, shall be
qualified to administer first aid to the injured.
(b) The first aid kit shall consist of a weatherproof con-
tainer with individual sealed packages for each type of
item: The contents of such kit shall contain a sufficient
quantity of at least the following types of item:
Gauze roller bandages, 1 inch and 2 inch.
Gauze compress bandages, 4 inch.
Adhesive bandages, 1 inch.
Triangular bandage, 40 inch.
Ammonia inhalants and ampules.
Antiseptic applicators or swabs.
Burn dressing.
Eye dressing.
Wire or thin board splints.
Forceps and tourniquet.
(c) The contents of the first aid kit shall be checked before
being sent out on each job and at least weekly on each job
to ensure that the expended items are replaced.
87
(d) There shall be available for each vessel on which ten
(10) or more employees are working one Stokes basket
stretcher, or equivalent, permanently equipped with bridles
for attaching to the hoisting gear, except that no more than
two stretchers are required on each job location. A blanket
or other liner suitable for transferring the patient to and
from the stretcher shall be provided. Stretchers shall be
kept close to the vessels. This paragraph does not apply
where ambulance services which are available are known to
carry Such stretchers.
§ 1915.99–Hazard Communication
Note: The Office of Management and Budget has disap-
proved, under the Paperwork Reduction Act, three ap-
plications of the Hazard Communication Standard:
(1) The requirement that material safety data sheets be
provided on multi-employer worksites;
(2) Coverage of any consumer product excluded from
the definition of “hazardous chemical” under section
3.11(e)(3) of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986; and
(3) Coverage of any drugs regulated by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration in the non-manufacturing
SeCt.0r.
(a) Purpose.
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that the haz-
ards of all chemicals produced or imported are evalu-
ated, and that information concerning their hazards is
transmitted to employers and employees. This transmittal
of information is to be accomplished by means of com-
prehensive hazard communication programs, which are
to include container labeling and other forms of warn-
ing, material safety data sheets and employee training.
88
(2) This occupational safety and health standard is
intended to address comprehensively the issue of evaluat-
ing the potential hazards of chemicals, and communicat-
ing information concerning hazards and appropriate pro-
tective measures to employees, and to preempt any legal
requirements of a state, or political subdivision of a
state, pertaining to the subject. Evaluating the potential
hazards of chemicals, and communicating information
concerning hazards and appropriate protective measures
to employees, may include, for example, but is not lim-
ited to, provisions for: developing and maintaining a
written hazard communication program for the work-
place, including lists of hazardous chemicals present;
labeling of containers of chemicals in the workplace, as
well as of containers of chemicals being shipped to other
workplaces; preparation and distribution of material
Safety data sheets to employees and downstream employ-
ers; and development and implementation of employee
training programs regarding hazards of chemicals and
protective measures. Under section 18 of the Act, no
state or political subdivision of a state may adopt or
enforce, through any court or agency, any requirement
relating to the issue addressed by this Federal standard,
except pursuant to a Federally-approved state plan.
(b) Scope and application.
(1) This section requires chemical manufacturers or
importers to assess the hazards of chemicals which they
produce or import, and all employers to provide infor-
mation to their employees about the hazardous chemi-
cals to which they are exposed, by means of a hazard
communication program, labels and other forms of
warning, material safety data sheets, and information
and training. In addition, this section requires distribu-
tors to transmit the required information to employers.
(2) This section applies to any chemical which is known
to be present in the workplace in such a manner that
employees may be exposed under normal conditions of
use or in a foreseeable emergency.
89
(3) This section applies to laboratories only as follows:
(i) Employers shall ensure that labels on incoming
containers of hazardous chemicals are not removed or
defaced;
(ii) Employers shall maintain any material safety data
sheets that are received with incoming shipments of
hazardous chemicals, and ensure that they are readily
accessible to laboratory employees; and,
(iii) Employers shall ensure that laboratory employees
are apprised of the hazards of the chemicals in their
workplaces in accordance with paragraph (h) of this
Section.
(4) In work operations where employees only handle
chemicals in sealed containers which are not opened
under normal conditions of use (such as are found in
marine cargo handling, warehousing, or retail sales), this
section applies to these operations only as follows:
(i) Employers shall ensure that labels on incoming
containers of hazardous chemicals are not removed or
defaced;
(ii) Employers shall maintain copies of any material
safety data sheets that are received with incoming
shipments of the sealed containers of hazardous chem-
icals, shall obtain a material safety data sheet for
sealed containers of hazardous chemicals received
without a material safety data sheet if an employee
requests the material safety data sheet, and shall
ensure that the material safety data sheets are readily
accessible during each work shift to employees when
they are in their work area(s); and,
(iii) Employers shall ensure that employees are pro-
vided with information and training in accordance
with paragraph (h) of this section (except for the loca-
tion and availability of the written hazard communica-
tion program under paragraph (h)(1)(iii)), to the extent
necessary to protect them in the event of a spill or
leak of a hazardous chemical from a sealed container.
90
(5) This section does not require labeling of the follow-
ing chemicals:
(i) Any pesticide as such term is defined in the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C.
136 et seq.), when subject to the labeling requirements
of that Act and labeling regulations issued under that
Act by the Environmental Protection Agency;
(ii) Any food, food additive, color additive, drug, cos-
metic, or medical or veterinary device, including mate-
rials intended for use as ingredients in such products
(e.g. flavors and fragrances), as such terms are defined
in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21
U.S.C. 301 et seq.) and regulations issued under that
Act, when they are subject to the labeling require-
ments under that Act by the Food and Drug Adminis-
tration;
(iii) Any distilled spirits (beverage alcohols), wine, or
malt beverage intended for nonindustrial use, as such
terms are defined in the Federal Alcohol Administra-
tion Act (27 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) and regulations issued
under that Act, when subject to the labeling require-
ments of that Act and labeling regulations issued
under that Act by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
and Firearms; and,
(iv) Any consumer product or hazardous substance as
those terms are defined in the Consumer Product
Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq.) and Federal Haz-
ardous Substances Act (15 U.S.C. 1261 et seq.) respec-
tively, when Subject to a consumer product safety stan-
dard or labeling requirement of those Acts, or
regulations issued under those Acts by the Consumer
Product Safety Commission.
(6) This section does not apply to:
(i) Any hazardous waste as such term is defined by the
Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended
(42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), when subject to regulations
91
issued under that Act by the Environmental Protection
Agency;
(ii) Tobacco or tobacco products;
(iii) Wood or wood products;
(iv) Articles;
(v) Food, drugs, cosmetics, or alcoholic beverages in a
retail establishment which are packaged for sale to
COnSumerS;
(vi) Foods, drugs, or cosmetics intended for personal
consumption by employees while in the workplace;
(vii) Any consumer product or hazardous substance,
as those terms are defined in the Consumer Product
Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2051 et seq.) and Federal Haz-
ardous Substances Act (15 U.S.C. 1261 et seq.) respec-
tively, where the employer can demonstrate it is used
in the workplace in the same manner as normal con-
Sumer use, and which use results in a duration and
frequency of exposure which is not greater than expo-
sures experienced by consumers; and,
(viii) Any drug, as that term is defined in the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et
seq.), when it is in solid, final form for direct admin-
istration to the patient (i.e. tablets or pills).
(c) Definitions.
“Article” means a manufactured item:
(i) Which is formed to a specific shape or design dur-
ing manufacture;
92
(ii) which has end use function(s) dependent in whole
or in part upon its shape or design during end use;
and
(iii) which does not release, or otherwise result in
exposure to, a hazardous chemical, under normal con-
ditions of use.
“Assistant Secretary” means the Assistant Secretary of
Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Depart-
ment of Labor, or designee.
“Chemical” means any element, chemical compound or
mixture of elements and/or compounds.
“Chemical manufacturer” means an employer with a
workplace where chemical(s) are produced for use or
distribution.
“Chemical name” means the scientific designation of a
chemical in accordance with the nomenclature system
developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied
Chemistry (IUPAC) or the Chemical Abstracts Service
(CAS) rules of nomenclature, or a name which will clearly
identify the chemical for the purpose of conducting a haz-
ard evaluation.
“Combustible liquid” means any liquid having a flash-
point at or above 100 °F (37.8 °C), but below 200 °F
(93.3 °C), except any mixture having components with
flashpoints of 200 °F (93.3 °C), or higher, the total vol-
ume of which makes up 99 percent or more of the total
volume of the mixture.
“Common name” means any designation or identifica-
tion such as code name, code number, trade name, brand
name or generic name used to identify a chemical other
than by its chemical name.
93
“Compressed gas” means:
(i) A gas or mixture of gases having, in a container, an
absolute pressure exceeding 40 psi at 70 °F (21.1 °C);
Or
(ii) a gas or mixture of gases having, in a container, an
absolute pressure exceeding 104 psi at 130 °F
(54.4 °C) regardless of the pressure of 70 °F (21.1 °C); or
(iii) A liquid having a vapor pressure exceeding 40 psi
at 100 °F (37.8 °C) as determined by ASTM D–323–72.
“Container” means any bag, barrel, bottle, box, can,
cylinder, drum, reaction vessel, Storage tank, or the like
that contains a hazardous chemical. For purposes of this
section, pipes or piping systems, and engines, fuel tanks,
or other operating systems in a vehicle, are not considered
to be containers.
“Designated representative” means any individual or
organization to whom an employee gives written authoriza-
tion to exercise such employee's rights under this section. A
recognized or certified collective bargaining agent shall be
treated automatically as a designated representative without
regard to written employee authorization.
“Director” means the Director, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, or designee.
“Distributor” means a business, other than a chemical
manufacturer or importer, which supplies hazardous chem-
icals to other distributors or to employers.
“Employee” means a worker who may be exposed to
hazardous chemicals under normal operating conditions or
in foreseeable emergencies. Workers such as office workers
94
or bank tellers who encounter hazardous chemicals only in
non-routine, isolated instances are not covered.
“Employer” means a person engaged in a business where
chemicals are either used, distributed, or are produced for use
or distribution, including a contractor or subcontractor.
“Explosive” means a chemical that causes a Sudden,
almost instantaneous release of pressure, gas, and heat
when subjected to sudden shock, pressure, or high
temperature.
“Exposure” or “exposed” means that an employee is
subjected to a hazardous chemical in the course of employ-
ment through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion,
skin contact or absorption, etc.), and includes potential
(e.g. accidental or possible) exposure.
“Flammable” means a chemical that falls into one of the
following categories:
(i) “Aerosol, flammable” means an aerosol that, when
tested by the method described in 16 CFR 1500.45,
yields a flame projection exceeding 18 inches at full
valve opening, or a flashback (a flame extending back
to the valve) at any degree of valve opening;
(ii) “Gas, flammable” means:
(a) A gas that, at ambient temperature and pressure,
forms a flammable mixture with air at a concentra-
tion of thirteen (13) percent by Volume or less; or
(b) A gas that, at ambient temperature and pressure,
forms a range of flammable mixtures with air wider
than twelve (12) percent by volume, regardless of
the lower limit;
(iii) “Liquid, flammable” means any liquid having a
95
flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), except any mixture
having components with flashpoints of 100 °F
(37.8 °C) or higher, the total of which make up 99
percent or more of the total volume of the mixture;
(iv) “Solid, flammable” means a solid, other than a
blasting agent or explosive as defined in § 190.109(a),
that is liable to cause fire through friction, absorption
of moisture, spontaneous chemical change, or retained
heat from manufacturing or processing, or which can
be ignited readily and when ignited burns so vigor-
ously and persistently as to create a serious hazard. A
chemical shall be considered to be a flammable solid
if, when tested by the method described in 16 CFR
1500.44, it ignites and burns with a self-sustained
flame at a rate greater than one-tenth of an inch per
Second along its major axis.
“Flashpoint” means the minimum temperature at which
a liquid gives off a vapor in sufficient concentration to
ignite when tested as follows:
(i) Tagliabue Closed Tester (See American National
Standard Method of Test for Flash Point by Tag
Closed Tested, Z11.24–1979 (ASTM D 56–79)) for liq-
uids with a viscosity of less than 45 Saybolt University
Seconds (SUS) at 100 °F (37.8 °C), that do not con-
tain suspended solids and do not have a tendency to
form a surface film under test; or
(ii) Pensky-Martens Closed Tester (See American
National Standard Method of Test for Flash Point by
Pensky-Martens Closed Tester, Z11.7–1979 (ASTM D
93–79)) for liquids with a viscosity equal to or greater
than 45 SUS at 100 °F (37.8 °C), or that contain sus-
pended solids, or that have a tendency to form a sur-
face film under test; or
96
(iii) Setaflash Closed Tester (see American National
Standard Method of Test for Flash Point by Setaflash
Closed Tester (ASTMD 3278–78))
Organic peroxides, which undergo autoaccelerating thermal
decomposition, are excluded from any of the flashpoint
determination methods specified above.
“Foreseeable emergency” means any potential occurrence
such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of
containers, or failure of control equipment which could
result in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical
into the workplace.
“Hazardous chemical” means any chemical which is a
physical hazard or a health hazard.
“Hazard warning” means any words, pictures, symbols,
or combination thereof appearing on a label or other
appropriate form of warning which convey the hazard(s) of
the chemical(s) in the container(s).
“Health hazard” means a chemical for which there is
statistically significant evidence based on at least one study
conducted in accordance with established scientific princi-
ples that acute or chronic health effects may occur in
exposed employees. The term “health hazard” includes
chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic
agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers,
hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act
on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the
lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. Appendix A pro-
vides further definitions and explanations of the scope of
health hazards covered by this section, and Appendix B
describes the criteria to be used to determine whether or
not a chemical is to be considered hazardous for purposes
of this standard.
97
“Identity” means any chemical or common name which
is indicated on the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for
the chemical. The identity used shall permit cross-
references to be made among the required list of hazardous
chemicals, the label and the MSDS.
“Immediate use” means that the hazardous chemical will
be under the control of and used only by the person who
transfers it from a labeled container and only within the
work shift in which it is transferred.
“Importer” means the first business with employees
within the Customs Territory of the United States which
receives hazardous chemicals produced in other countries
for the purpose of supplying them to distributors or
employers within the United States.
“Label” means any written, printed, or graphic material,
displayed on or affixed to containers of hazardous
chemicals.
“Material safety data sheet (MSDS)” means written or
printed material concerning a hazardous chemical which is
prepared in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section.
“Mixture” means any combination of two or more
chemicals if the combination is not, in whole or in part,
the result of a chemical reaction.
“Organic peroxide” means an organic compound that
contains the bivalent -O-O-structure and which may be
considered to be a structural derivative of hydrogen perox-
ide where one or both of the hydrogen atoms has been
replaced by an organic radical.
“Oxidizer” means a chemical other than a blasting agent
or explosive as defined in § 1910.109(a), that initiates or
promotes combustion in other materials, thereby causing
98
fire either of itself or through the release of oxygen or
other gases.
“Physical hazard” means a chemical for which there is
scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid,
a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic perox-
ide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive) or water-
reactive.
“Produce” means to manufacture, process, formulate, or
repackage.
“Pyrophoric” means a chemical that will ignite sponta-
neously in air at a temperature of 130 °F (54.4 °C) or
below.
“Responsible party” means someone who can provide
additional information on the hazardous chemical and
appropriate emergency procedures, if necessary.
“Specific chemical identity” means the chemical name,
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number, or any
other information that reveals the precise chemical designa-
tion of the Substance.
“Trade secret” means any confidential formula, pattern,
process, device, information or compilation of information
that is used in an employer's business, and that gives the
employer an opportunity to obtain an advantage over com-
petitors who do not know or use it. Appendix D sets out
the criteria to be used in evaluating trade secrets.
“Unstable (reactive)” means a chemical which in the
pure State, or as produced or transported, will vigorously
polymerize, decompose, condense, or will become self-
reactive under conditions of shocks, pressure or
temperature.
“Use” means to package, handle, react, or transfer.
99
“Water-reactive” means a chemical that reacts with water
to release a gas that is either flammable or presents a
health hazard.
“Work area” means a room or defined space in a work-
place where hazardous chemicals are produced or used,
and where employees are present.
“Workplace” means an establishment, job site, or
project, at one geographical location containing one or
more work areas.
(d) Hazard determination.
(1) Chemical manufacturers and importers shall evaluate
chemicals produced in their workplaces or imported by
them to determine if they are hazardous. Employers are
not required to evaluate chemicals unless they choose not
to rely on the evaluation performed by the chemical
manufacturer or importer for the chemical to satisfy this
requirement.
(2) Chemical manufacturers, importers or employers
evaluating chemicals shall identify and consider the
available Scientific evidence concerning such hazards. For
health hazards, evidence which is statistically significant
and which is based on at least one positive study con-
ducted in accordance with established scientific princi-
ples is considered to be sufficient to establish a hazard-
ous effect if the results of the study meet the definitions
of health hazards in this section. Appendix A shall be
consulted for the Scope of health hazards covered, and
Appendix B shall be consulted for the criteria to be fol-
lowed with respect to the completeness of the evaluation,
and the data to be reported.
(3) The chemical manufacturer, importer or employer
evaluating chemicals shall treat the following sources as
|OO
establishing that the chemicals listed in them are
hazardous:
(i) 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Z. Toxic and Hazard-
ous Substances, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA); or,
(ii) Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances
and Physical Agents in the Work Environment, Amer-
ican Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH) (latest edition).
The chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer is still
responsible for evaluating the hazards associated with the
chemicals in these source lists in accordance with the
requirements of this standard.
(4) Chemical manufacturers, importers and employers
evaluating chemicals shall treat the following sources as
establishing that a chemical is a carcinogen or potential
carcinogen for hazard communication purposes:
(i) National Toxicology Program (NTP), Annual
Report on Carcinogens (latest edition);
(ii) International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC) Monographs (latest editions); or
(iii) 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazard-
ous Substances, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration.
Note—The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical
Substances published by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health indicates whether a
chemical has been found by NTP or IARC to be a
potential carcinogen. 101
(5) The chemical manufacturer, importer or employer
shall determine the hazards of mixtures of chemicals as
follows:
(i) If a mixture has been tested as a whole to deter-
mine its hazards, the results of such testing shall be
used to determine whether the mixture is hazardous;
(ii) If a mixture has not been tested as a whole to
determine whether the mixture is a health hazard, the
mixture shall be assumed to present the same health
hazards as do the components which comprise one
percent (by weight or volume) or greater of the mix-
ture, except that the mixture shall be assumed to
present a carcinogenic hazard if it contains a compo-
nent in concentrations of 0.1 percent or greater which
is considered to be a carcinogen under paragraph
(d)(4) of this section;
(iii) If a mixture has not been tested as a whole to
determine whether the mixture is a physical hazard,
the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer may
use whatever scientifically valid data is available to
evaluate the physical hazard potential of the mixture;
and,
(iv) If the chemical manufacturer, importer, or
employer has evidence to indicate that a component
present in the mixture in concentrations of less than
one percent (or in the case of carcinogens, less than
0.1 percent) could be released in concentrations which
would exceed an established OSHA permissible expo-
Sure limit or ACGIH Threshold Limit Value, or could
present a health hazard to employees in those concen-
trations, the mixture shall be assumed to present the
same hazard.
(6) Chemical manufacturers, importers, or employers
evaluating chemicals shall describe in writing the proce-
102
dures they use to determine the hazards of the chemical
they evaluate. The written procedures are to be made
available, upon request, to employees, their designated
representatives, the Assistant Secretary and the Director.
The written description may be incorporated into the
written hazard communication program required under
paragraph (e) of this section.
(e) Written hazard communication program.
(1) Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at
the workplace, a written hazard communication program
for their workplaces which at least describes how the
criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this
section for labels and other forms of warning, material
safety data sheets, and employee information and train-
ing will be met, and which also includes the following:
(i) A list of the hazardous chemicals known to be
present using an identity that is referenced on the
appropriate material safety data sheet (the list may be
compiled for the workplace as a whole or for individ-
ual work areas); and,
(ii) The methods the employer will use to inform
employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks (for
example, the cleaning of reactor vessels), and the haz-
ards associated with chemicals contained in unlabeled
pipes in their work areas.
(2) Multi-employer workplaces. Employers who produce,
use, or store hazardous chemicals at a workplace in Such
a way that the employees of other employer(s) may be
exposed (for example, employees of a construction con-
tractor working on-site) shall additionally ensure that the
hazard communication programs developed and imple-
mented under this paragraph (e) include the following:
103
(i) The methods the employer will use to provide the
other employer(s) with a copy of the material safety
data sheet, or to make it available at a central location
in the workplace, for each hazardous chemical the
other employer(s)' employees may be exposed to while
working;
(ii) The methods the employer will use to inform the
other employer(s) of any precautionary measures that
need to be taken to protect employees during the
workplace's normal operating conditions and in fore-
Seeable emergencies; and,
(iii) The methods the employer will use to inform the
other employer(s) of the labeling System used in the
workplace.
(3) The employer may rely on an existing hazard commu-
nication program to comply with these requirements,
provided that it meets the criteria established in this
paragraph (e).
(4) The employer shall make the written hazard commu-
nication program available, upon request, to employees,
their designated representatives, the Assistant Secretary
and the Director, in accordance with the requirements of
29 CFR 1910.20(e).
(f) Labels and other forms of warning.
(1) The chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor
shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals
leaving the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with
the following information;
(i) Identity of the hazardous chemicals(s);
(ii) Appropriate hazard warnings; and
104
(iii) Name and address of the chemical manufacturer,
importer, or other responsible party.
(2) For solid metal (such as a steel beam or a metal cast-
ing) that is not exempted as an article due to its down-
stream use, the required label may be transmitted to the
customer at the time of the initial shipment, and need
not be included with subsequent shipments to the same
employer unless the information on the label changes.
The label may be transmitted with the initial shipment
itself, or with the material safety data sheet that is to be
provided prior to or at the time of the first shipment.
This exception to requiring labels on every container of
hazardous chemicals is only for the solid metal itself and
does not apply to hazardous chemicals used in conjunc-
tion with, or known to be present with, the metal and to
which employees handling the metal may be exposed (for
example, cutting fluids or lubricants).
(3) Chemical manufacturers, importers, or distributors
shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals
leaving the workplace is labeled, tagged, or marked in
accordance with this section in a manner which does not
conflict with the requirements of the Hazardous Materi-
als Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and regu-
lations issued under that Act by the Department of
Transportation.
(4) If the hazardous chemical is regulated by OSHA in a
Substance-specific health standard, the chemical manu-
facturer, importer, distributor or employer shall ensure
that the labels or other forms of warning used are in
accordance with the requirements of that standard.
(5) Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(6) and (f)(7) the
employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous
chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked
with the following information:
105
(i) Identity of the hazardous chemical(s) contained
therein; and
(ii) Appropriate hazard warnings.
(6) The employer may use signs, placards, process sheets,
batch tickets, operating procedures, or other such writ- .
ten materials in lieu of affixing labels to individual sta-
tionary process containers, as long as the alternative
method identifies the containers to which it is applicable
and conveys the information required by paragraph (f)(5)
of this Section to be on a label. The written materials
shall be readily accessible to the employees in their work
area throughout each work shift.
(7) The employer is not required to label portable con-
tainers into which hazardous chemicals are transferred
from labeled containers, and which are intended only for
the immediate use of the employee who performs the
transfer.
(8) The employer shall not remove or deface existing
labels or incoming containers of hazardous chemicals
unless the container is immediately marked with the
required information.
(9) The employer shall ensure that labels or other forms
of warning are legible, in English, and prominently dis-
played on the container, or readily available in the work
area throughout each work shift. Employers having
employees who speak other languages may add the infor-
mation in their language to the material presented, as
long as the information is presented in English as well.
(10) The chemical manufacturer, importer, distributor or
employer need not affix new labels to comply with this
section if existing labels already convey the required
information. 106
(g) Material safety data sheets.
(1) Chemical manufacturers and importers shall obtain
or develop a material safety data sheet for each hazard-
ous chemical they produce or import. Employers shall
have a material safety data sheet for each hazardous
chemical which they use.
(2) Each material safety data sheet shall be in English
and shall contain at least the following information:
(i) The identity used on the label, and, except as pro-
vided for in paragraph (i) of this section on trade
SeCretS:
(a) If the hazardous chemical is a single substance,
its chemical and common name(s);
(b) If the hazardous chemical is a mixture which has
been tested as a whole to determine its hazards, the
chemical and common name(s) of the ingredients
which contribute to these known hazards, and the
common name(s) of the mixture itself; or,
(c) If the hazardous chemical is a mixture which has
not been tested as a whole;
(1) The chemical and common name(s) of all
ingredients which have been determined to be
health hazards, and which comprise 1970 or
greater of the composition, except that chemicals
identified as carcinogens under paragraph (d)(4)
of this section shall be listed if the concentrations
are 0.1% or greater; and,
(2) The chemical and common name(s) of all
ingredients which have been determined to be
health hazards, and which comprise less than 1%
(0.1% for carcinogens) of the mixture, if there is
107
evidence that the ingredient(s) could be released
from the mixture in concentrations which would
exceed an established OSHA permissible exposure
limit or ACGIH Threshold Limit Value, or could
present a health hazard to employees; and,
(3) The chemical and common name(s) of all
ingredients which have been determined to present
a physical hazard when present in the mixture;
(ii) Physical and chemical characteristics of the haz-
ardous chemical (such as vapor pressure, flash point);
(iii) The physical hazards of the hazardous chemical,
including the potential for fire, explosion, and
reactivity;
(iv) The health hazards of the hazardous chemical,
including signs and symptoms of exposure, and any
medical conditions which are generally recognized as
being aggravated by exposure to the chemical;
(v) The primary route(s) of entry;
(vi) The OSHA permissible exposure limit, ACGIH
Threshold Limit Value, and any other exposure limit
used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer,
importer, or employer preparing the material Safety
data sheet, where available;
(vii) Whether the hazardous chemical is listed in the
National Toxicology Program (NTP) Annual Report
on Carcinogens (latest edition) or has been found to
be a potential carcinogen in the International Agency
for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs (latest
editions), or by OSHA;
(viii) Any generally applicable precautions for safe
handling and use which are known to the chemical
108
manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the
material safety data sheet, including appropriate
hygienic practices, protective measures during repair
and maintenance of contaminated equipment, and
procedures for clean-up of spills and leaks;
(ix) Any generally applicable control measures which
are known to the chemical manufacturer, importer or
employer preparing the material safety data sheet,
such as appropriate engineering controls, work prac-
tices, or personal protective equipment;
(x) Emergency and first aid procedures;
(xi) The date of preparation of the material safety
data sheet or the last change to it; and,
(xii) The name, address and telephone number of the
chemical manufacturer, importer, employer or other
responsible party preparing or distributing the mate-
rial safety data sheet, who can provide additional
information on the hazardous chemical and appropri-
ate emergency procedures, if necessary.
(3) If no relevant information is found for any given
category on the material Safety data sheet, the chemical
manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the mate-
rial safety data sheet shall mark it to indicate that no
applicable information was found.
(4) Where complex mixtures have similar hazards and
contents (i.e. the chemical ingredients are essentially the
Same, but the Specific composition varies from mixture
to mixture), the chemical manufacturer, importer or
employer may prepare one material safety data sheet to
apply to all of these similar mixtures.
(5) The chemical manufacturer, importer or employer
preparing the material safety data sheet shall ensure that
109
the information recorded accurately reflects the Scientific
evidence used in making the hazard determination. If
the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer prepar-
ing the material safety data sheet becomes newly aware
of any significant information regarding the hazards of a
chemical, or ways to protect against the hazards, this
new information shall be added to the material safety
sheet within three months. If the chemical is not cur-
rently being produced or imported the chemical manu-
facturer or importer shall add the information to the
material Safety data sheet before the chemical is intro-
duced into the workplace again.
(6) Chemical manufacturers or importers shall ensure
that distributors and employers are provided an appro-
priate material safety data sheet with their initial ship-
ment, and with the first shipment after a material safety
data sheet is updated. The chemical manufacturer or
importer shall either provide material safety data sheets
with the shipped containers or send them to the
employer prior to or at the time of the shipment. If the
material safety data sheet is not provided with a ship-
ment that has been labeled as a hazardous chemical, the
employer shall obtain one from the chemical manufac-
turer, importer, or distributor as soon as possible.
(7) Distributors shall ensure that material safety data
sheets, and updated information, are provided to other
distributors and employers. Retail distributors which sell
hazardous chemicals to commercial customers shall pro-
vide a material safety data sheet to such employers upon
request, and shall post a sign or otherwise inform them
that a material safety data sheet is available. Chemical
manufacturers, importers, and distributors need not pro-
vide material safety data sheets to retail distributors
which have informed them that the retail distributor
does not sell the product to commercial customers or
open the sealed container to use it in their own
workplaces.
110
(8) The employer shall maintain copies of the required
material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical
in the workplace, and shall ensure that they are readily
accessible during each work shift to employees when
they are in their work area(s).
(9) Where employees must travel between workplaces
during a workshift, i.e., their work is carried out at
more than one geographical location, the material safety
data sheets may be kept at a central location at the pri-
mary workplace facility. In this situation, the employer
shall ensure that employees can immediately obtain the
required information in an emergency.
(10) Material safety data sheets may be kept in any
form, including operating procedures, and may be
designed to cover groups of hazardous chemicals in a
work area where it may be more appropriate to address
the hazards of a process rather than individual hazard-
ous chemicals. However, the employer shall ensure that
in all cases the required information is provided for each
hazardous chemical, and is readily accessible during each
work shift to employees when they are in their work
area(s).
(11) Material safety data sheets shall also be made
readily available, upon request, to designated representa-
tives and to the Assistant Secretary, in accordance with
the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.20(e). The Director
shall also be given access to material safety data sheets
in the same manner.
(h) Employee information and training.
Employers shall provide employees with information and
training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the
time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new haz-
ard is introduced into their work area.
111
(1) Information. Employees shall be informed of:
(i) The requirements of this section;
(ii) Any operations in their work area where hazardous
chemicals are present; and,
(iii) The location and availability of the written hazard
communication program, including the required list(s)
of hazardous chemicals, and material safety data
sheets required by this section.
(2) Training. Employee training shall include at least:
(i) Methods and observations that may be used to
detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical
in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the
employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual
appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when
being released, etc.);
(ii) The physical and health hazards of the chemicals
in the work area;
(iii) The measures employees can take to protect them-
selves from these hazards, including specific proce-
dures the employer has implemented to protect
employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such
as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures,
and personal protective equipment to be used; and,
(iv) The details of the hazard communication program
developed by the employer, including an explanation
of the labeling system and the material safety data
sheet, and how employees can obtain and use the
appropriate hazard information.
112
(i) Trade Secrets.
(1) The chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer
may withhold the specific chemical identity, including
the chemical name and other specific identification of a
hazardous chemical, from the material safety data sheet,
provided that:
(i) The claim that the information withheld is a trade
Secret can be supported;
(ii) Information contained in the material safety data
sheet concerning the properties and effects of the haz-
ardous chemical is disclosed;
(iii) The material safety data sheet indicates that the
specific chemical identity is being withheld as a trade
Secret; and,
(iv) The specific chemical identity is made available to
health professionals, employees, and designated repre-
sentatives in accordance with the applicable provisions
of this paragraph.
(2) Where a treating physician or nurse determines that a
medical emergency exists and the specific chemical iden-
tity of a hazardous chemical is necessary for emergency
or first-aid treatment, the chemical manufacturer,
importer, or employer shall immediately disclose the spe-
cific chemical identity of a trade secret chemical to that
treating physician or nurse, regardless of the existence of
a written statement of need of a confidentiality agree-
ment. The chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer
may require a written statement of need and confidenti-
ality agreement, in accordance with the provisions of
paragraphs (i)(3) and (4) of this section, as soon as cir-
cumstances permit.
113
(3) In non-emergency situations, a chemical manufac-
turer, importer, or employer shall, upon request, disclose
a specific chemical identity, otherwise permitted to be
withheld under paragraph (i)(1) of this section, to a
health professional (i.e. physician, industrial hygienist,
toxicologist, epidemiologist, or occupational health
nurse) providing medical or other occupational health
Services to exposed employee(s), and to employees or
designated representatives, if:
(i) The request is in writing;
(ii) The request describes with reasonable detail one or
more of the following occupational health needs for
the information;
(a) To assess the hazards of the chemicals to which
employees will be exposed;
(b) To conduct or assess sampling of the workplace
atmosphere to determine employee exposure levels;
(c) To conduct pre-assignment or periodic medical
surveillance of exposed employees;
(d) To provide medical treatment to exposed
employees;
(e) To select or assess appropriate personal protec-
tive equipment for exposed employees;
(f) To design or assess engineering controls or other
protective measures for exposed employees; and,
(g) To conduct studies to determine the health
effects of exposure.
(iii) The request explains in detail why the disclosure
of the specific chemical identity is essential and that,
114
in lieu thereof, the disclosure of the following infor-
mation to the health professional, employee, or desig-
nated representative, would not satisfy the purposes
described in paragraph (i)(3)(ii) of this section:
(a) The properties and effects of the chemical;
(b) Measures for controlling workers’ exposure to
the chemical;
(c) Methods of monitoring and analyzing worker
exposure to the chemical; and,
(d) Methods of diagnosing and treating harmful
exposures to the chemical;
(iv) The request includes a description of the proce-
dures to be used to maintain the confidentiality of the
disclosed information; and,
(v) The health professional, and the employer or con-
tractor of the services of the health professional (i.e.
downstream employer, labor organization, or individ-
ual employee), employee, or designated representative,
agree in a written confidentiality agreement that the
health professional, employee, or designated represen-
tative, will not use the trade secret information for any
purpose other than the health need(s) asserted and
agree not to release the information under any circum-
stances other than to OSHA, as provided in paragraph
(i)(6) of this section, except as authorized by the terms
of the agreement or by the chemical manufacturer,
importer, or employer.
(4) The confidentiality agreement authorized by para-
graph (i)(3)(iv) of this section;
115
(i) May restrict the use of the information to the
health purposes indicated in the written statement of
need;
(ii) May provide for appropriate legal remedies in the
event of a breach of the agreement, including stipula-
tion of a reasonable pre-estimate of likely damages;
and,
(iii) May not include requirements for the posting of a
penalty bond.
(5) Nothing in this standard is meant to preclude the
parties from pursuing non-contractual remedies to the
extent permitted by law.
(6) If the health professional, employee, or designated
representative receiving the trade secret information
decides that there is a need to disclose it to OSHA, the
chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer who pro-
vided the information shall be informed by the health
professional, employee, or designated representative
prior to, or at the same time as, such disclosure.
(7) If the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer
denies a written request for disclosure of a specific
chemical identity, the denial must:
(i) Be provided to the health professional, employee,
or designated representative, within thirty days of the
request;
(ii) Be in writing;
(iii) Include evidence to support the claim that the spe-
cific chemical identity is a trade secret;
(iv) State the specific reasons why the request is being
denied; and,
† 16
(v) Explain in detail how alternative information may
satisfy the specific medical or occupational health
need without revealing the Specific chemical identity.
(8) The health professional, employee, or designated rep-
resentative whose request for information is denied
under paragraph (i)(3) of this section may refer the
request and the written denial of the request to OSHA
for consideration.
(9) When a health professional, employee, or designated
representative refers the denial to OSHA under para-
graph (i)(8) of this section, OSHA shall consider the evi-
dence to determine if:
(i) The chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer
has supported the claim that the specific chemical
identity is a trade secret;
(ii) The health professional, employee, or designated
representative has supported the claim that there is a
medical or occupational health need for the informa-
tion; and,
(iii) The health professional, employee, or designated
representative has demonstrated adequate means to
protect the confidentiality.
(10) (i) If OSHA determines that the specific chemical
identity requested under paragraph (i)(3) of this sec-
tion is not a bona fide trade secret, or that it is a
trade Secret, but the requesting health professional,
employee, or designated representative has a legitimate
medical or occupational health need for the informa-
tion, has executed a written confidentiality agreement,
and has shown adequate means to protect the confi-
dentiality of the information, the chemical manufac-
turer, importer, or employer will be subject to citation
by OSHA.
117
(ii) If a chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer
demonstrates to OSHA that the execution of a confi-
dentiality agreement would not provide sufficient pro-
tection against the potential harm from the unautho-
rized disclosure of a trade secret specific chemical
identity, the Assistant Secretary may issue such orders
or impose such additional limitations or conditions
upon the disclosure of the requested chemical infor-
mation as may be appropriate to assure that the occu-
pational health services are provided without an undue
risk of harm to the chemical manufacturer, importer,
or employer.
(11) If a citation for a failure to release specific chemical
identity information is contested by the chemical manu-
facturer, importer, or employer, the matter will be adju-
dicated before the Occupational Safety and Health
Review Commission in accordance with the Act’s
enforcement scheme and the applicable Commission
rules of procedure. In accordance with the Commission
rules, when a chemical manufacturer, importer, or
employer continues to withhold the information during
the contest, the Administrative Law Judge may review
the citation and supporting documentation in camera or
issue appropriate orders to protect the confidentiality of
such matters.
(12) Notwithstanding the existence of a trade Secret
claim, a chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer
shall, upon request, disclose to the Assistant Secretary
any information which this section requires the chemical
manufacturer, importer, or employer to make available.
Where there is a trade Secret claim, such claim shall be
made no later than at the time the information is pro-
vided to the Assistant Secretary so that suitable determi-
nations of trade secret status can be made and the neces-
sary protections can be implemented.
118
(13) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as
requiring the disclosure under any circumstances of
process or percentage of mixture information which
is a trade secret.
(j) Effective dates.
(1) Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors
shall ensure that material safety data sheets are provided
with the next shipment of hazardous chemicals to
employers after September 23, 1987.
(2) Employers in the nonmanufacturing sector shall be in
compliance with all provisions of this section by May 23,
1988. (Note: Employers in the manufacturing sector (SIS
Codes 2 thru 39) are already required to be in compli-
ance with this section.)
Appendix A TO 1915.99
Health Hazard Definitions (Mandatory)
Although safety hazards related to the physical characteristics of a
chemical can be objectively defined in terms of testing require-
ments (e.g. flammability), health hazard definitions are less pre-
cise and more subjective. Health hazards may cause measurable
changes in the body—such as decreased pulmonary function.
These changes are generally indicated by the occurrence of signs
and symptoms in the exposed employees—such as shortness of
breath, a non-measurable, subjective feeling. Employees exposed
to such hazards must be apprised of both the change in body
function and the signs and Symptoms that may occur to signal
that change.
The determination of occupational health hazards is complicated
by the fact that many of the effects or signs and symptoms occur
commonly in non-occupationally exposed populations, so that
effects of exposure are difficult to separate from normally occur-
ring illnesses. Occasionally, a substance causes an effect that is
rarely seen in the population at large, such as angiosarcomas
caused by vinyl chloride exposure, thus making it easier to ascer-
tain that the occupational exposure was the primary causative fac-
119
tor. More often, however, the effects are common, such as lung
cancer. The situation is further complicated by the fact that most
chemicals have not been adequately tested to determine their
health hazard potential, and data do not exist to substantiate these
effects.
There have been many attempts to categorize effects and to define
them in various ways. Generally, the terms “acute” and “chronic”
are used to delineate between effects on the basis of severity or
duration. “Acute” effects usually occur rapidly as a result of short-
term exposures, and are of short duration. “Chronic” effects gen-
erally occur as a result of long-term exposure, and are of long
duration.
The acute effects referred to most frequently are those defined by
the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard for
Precautionary Labeling of Hazardous Industrial Chemicals
(Z129.1–1982)—irritation, corrosivity, sensitization and lethal
dose. Although these are important health effects, they do not
adequately cover the considerable range of acute effects which
may occur as a result of occupational exposure, Such as, for exam-
ple, narcosis.
Similarly, the term chronic effect is often used to cover only carci-
nogenicity, teratogenicity, and mutagenicity. These effects are obvi-
ously a concern in the workplace, but again, do not adequately
cover the area of chronic effects, excluding, for example, blood
dyscrasias (such as enemia), chronic bronchitis and liver atrophy.
The goal of defining precisely, in measurable terms, every possible
health effect that may occur in the workplace as a result of chemi-
cal exposures cannot realistically be accomplished. This does not
negate the need for employees to be informed of such effects and
protected from them. Appendix B, which is also mandatory, out-
lines the principles and procedures of hazardous assessment.
For purposes of this section, any chemicals which meet any of the
following definitions, as determined by the criteria set forth in
Appendix B are health hazards:
1. Carcinogen: A chemical is considered to be a carcinogen if:
(a) It has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research
120
on Cancer (IARC), and found to be a carcinogen or potential car-
cinogen; or
(b) It is listed as a carcinogen or potential carcinogen in the
Annual Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicol-
ogy Program (NTP) (latest edition); or,
(c) It is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen.
2. Corrosive. A chemical that causes visible destruction of, or irre-
versible alterations in, living tissue by chemical action at the site
of contact. For example, a chemical is considered to be corrosive
if, when tested on the intact skin of albino rabbits by the method
described by the U.S. Department of Transportation in Appendix
A to 49 CFR Part 173, it destroys or changes irreversibly the struc-
ture of the tissue at the site of contact following an exposure
period of four hours. This term shall not refer to action or inani-
mate surfaces.
3. Highly toxic. A chemical falling within any of the following
categories:
(a) A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LDso) of 50 milli-
grams or less per kilogram of body weight when administered
orally to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.
(b) A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LDso) of 200 milli-
grams or less per kilogram of body weight when administered by
continuous contact for 24 hours (or less if death occurs within 24
hours) with the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing between two
and three kilograms each.
(c) A chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LCso) in
air of 200 parts per million by volume or less of gas or vapor, or 2
milligrams per liter or less of mist, fume, or dust, when adminis-
tered by continuous inhalation for one hour (or less if death
occurs within one hour) to albino rats weighing between 200 and
300 grams each.
4. Irritant. A chemical, which is not corrosive, but which causes a
reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action
at the site of contact. A chemical is a skin irritant if, when tested
on the intact skin of albino rabbits by the methods of 16 CFR
121
1500.41 for four hours exposure or by other appropriate
techniques, it results in an empirical score of five or more. A
chemical is an eye irritant if so determined under the procedure
listed in 16 CFR 1500.42 or other appropriate techniques.
5. Sensitizer. A chemical that causes a substantial proportion of
exposed people or animals to develop an allergic reaction in nor-
mal tissue after repeated exposure to the chemical.
6. Toxic. A chemical falling within any of the following
categories:
(a) A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LDso) of more than
50 milligrams per kilogram but not more than 500 milligrams per
kilogram of body weight when administered orally to albino rats
weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.
(b) A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LDso) of more than
200 milligrams per kilogram but not more than 1,000 milligrams
per kilogram of body weight when administered by continuous
contact for 24 hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) with
the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing between two and three
kilograms each.
(c) A chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LCso) in
air of more than 200 parts per million but not more than 2,000
parts per million by Volume of gas or vapor, or more than two
milligrams per liter but not more than 20 milligrams per liter of
mist, fume, or dust, when administered by continuous inhalation
for one hour (or less if death occurs within one hour) to albino
rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.
7. Target organ effects. The following is a target organ categori-
zation of effects which may occur, including examples of signs and
symptoms and chemicals which have been found to cause such
effects. These examples are presented to illustrate the range and
diversity of effects and hazards found in the workplace, and the
broad scope employers must consider in this area, but are not
intended to be all-inclusive.
a. Hepatotoxins: Chemicals which produce liver damage
Signs & Symptoms: Jaundice; liver enlargement
Chemicals: Carbon tetrachloride; nitrosamines
122
. Nephrotoxins: Chemicals which produce kidney damage
Signs & Symptoms: Edema; proteinuria
Chemicals: Halogenated hydrocarbons; uranium
. Neurotoxins: Chemicals which produce their primary toxic
effects on the nervous system
Signs & Symptoms: Narcosis; behavioral changes; decrease in
motor functions
Chemicals: Mercury; carbon disulfide
. Agents which act on the blood or hematopoietic system:
Decrease hemoglobin function; deprive the body tissue of
OXygen
Signs & Symptoms: Cyanosis; loss of consciousness
Chemicals: Carbon monoxide; cyanides
. Agents which damage the lung: Chemicals which irritate or
damage the pulmonary tissue
Signs & Symptoms: Cough; tightness in chest; shortness of
breath
Chemicals: Silica; asbestos
. Reproductive toxins: Chemicals which affect the reproductive
capabilities including chromosomal damage (mutations) and
effects on fetuses (teratogenesis)
Signs & Symptoms: Birth defects; sterility
Chemicals: Lead; DBCP
. Cultaneous hazards: Chemicals which affect the dermal layer of
the body.
Signs & Symptoms: Defatting of the skin; rashes; irritation
Chemicals: Ketones; chlorinated compounds
. Eye hazards: Chemicals which affect the eye or visual capacity
Signs & Symptoms: Conjunctivitis; corneal damage
Chemicals: Organic solvents; acids
APPENDIX B TO ş 1915.99
HAZARD DETERMINATION (MANDATORY)
The quality of a hazard communication program is largely
dependent upon the adequacy and accuracy of the hazard determi-
nation. The hazard determination requirement of this standard is
123
performance-oriented. Chemical manufacturers, importers, and
employers evaluating chemicals are not required to follow any spe-
cific methods for determining hazards, but they must be able to
demonstrate that they have adequately ascertained the hazards of
the chemicals produced or imported in accordance with the crite-
ria set forth in this Appendix.
Hazard evaluation is a process which relies heavily on the pro-
fessional judgment of the evaluator, particularly in the area of
chronic hazards. The performance-orientation of the hazard deter-
mination does not diminish the duty of the chemical manufac-
turer, importer or employer to conduct a thorough evaluation,
examining all relevant data and producing a scientifically defensi-
ble evaluation. For purposes of this standard, the following crite-
ria shall be used in making hazard determinations that meet the
requirements of this standard.
1. Carcinogenicity: As described in paragraph (d)(4) and Appendix
A of this section, a determination by the National Toxicology Pro-
gram, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or OSHA
that a chemical is a carcinogen or potential carcinogen will be
considered conclusive evidence for purposes of this section.
2. Human data: Where available, epidemiological studies and case
reports of adverse health effects shall be considered in the
evaluation.
3. Animal data: Human evidence of health effects in exposed pop-
ulations is generally not available for the majority of chemicals
produced or used in the workplace. Therefore, the available results
of toxicological testing in animal populations shall be used to pre-
dict the health effects that may be experienced by exposed work-
ers. In particular, the definitions of certain acute hazards refer to
Specific animal testing results (see Appendix A).
4. Adequacy and reporting of data. The results of any studies
which are designed and conducted according to established scien-
tific principles, and which report statistically significant conclu-
sions regarding the health effects of a chemical, shall be a suffi-
cient basis for a hazard determination and reported on any
material safety data sheet. The chemical manufacturer, importer,
or employer may also report the results of other scientifically valid
studies which tend to refute the findings of hazard.
124
APPENDIX C TO 1915.99
INFORMATION SOURCES (ADVISORY)
The following is a list of available data sources which the chem-
ical manufacturer, importer, distributor, or employer may wish to
consult to evaluate the hazards of chemicals they produce or
import:
—Any information in their own company files, such as toxicity
testing results or illness experience of company employees.
—Any information obtained from the supplier of the chemical,
such as material safety data sheets or product safety bulletins.
—Any pertinent information obtained from the following source
list (latest editions should be used):
Condensed Chemical Dictionary
Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 135 West 50th Street, New York,
NY 10020.
The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals and Drugs
Merck and Company, Inc., 126 E. Lincoln Ave., Rahway, NJ
0.7065.
IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of
Chemicals to Man
Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for
Research on Cancer, 1972–Present. (Multivolume work). Sum-
maries are available in supplement volumes. 49 Sheridan Street,
Albany, NY 12210.
Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, by F.A. Patty
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, NY (Multivolume work).
Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products
Gleason, Gosselin, and Hodge
Casarett and Doull's Toxicology; The Basic Science of Poisons
Doull, Klaassen, and Amdur, Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.,
New York, NY.
Industrial Toxicology, by Alice Hamilton and Harriet L. Hardy
Publishing Sciences Group, Inc., Acton, MA.
125
Toxicology of the Eye, by W. Morton Grant
Charles C. Thomas, 301–327 East Lawrence Avenue, Spring-
field, IL.
Recognition of Health Hazards in Industry
William A. Burgess, John Wiley and Sons, 605 Third Avenue,
New York, NY 10158. -
Chemical Hazards of the Workplace
Nick H. Proctor and James P. Hughes, J.P. Lippincott Company,
6 Winchester Terrace, New York, NY 10022.
Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
Chemical Rubber Company, 18901 Cranwood Parkway, Cleve-
land, OH 44128.
Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical
Agents in the Work Environment and Biological Exposure
Indices with Intended Changes
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH). 6500 Glenway Avenue, Bldg. D–5, Cincinnati, OH
4521 1.
Information on the physical hazards of chemicals may be found in
publications of the National Fire Protection Association,
Boston, MA.
Note.—The following documents may be purchased from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402.
Occupational Health Guidelines
NIOSH/OSHA (NIOSH Pub. No. 81–123)
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
NIOSH Pub, No. 85–114
Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances
NIOSH Pub. No. 80–102
126
Miscellaneous Documents published by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health:
Criteria documents.
Special Hazard Reviews.
Occupational Hazard Assessments.
Current Intelligence Bulletins.
OSHA’s General Industry Standards (29 CFR Part 1910)
NTP Annual Report on Carcinogens and Summary of the Annual
Report on Carcinogens.
National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161: (703) 487–4650.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA BASES
Service Provider File name
Bibliographic Retrieval Biosis Previews
Services (BRS), CA Search
1200 Route 7, Medlars
Latham, NY 12110. NTIS
Hazardline
American Chemical Society
Journal
Excerpta Medica
|RCS Medical Science
Journal
Pre-Med
Intl. Pharmaceutical
Abstracts
Paper Chem
Lockheed—DIALOG Biosis Prev. Files
Information Service, Inc., CA Search Files
3460 Hillview Avenue, Palo CAB Abstracts
Alto, CA 94.304. Chemical Exposure
Chemname
Chemsis Files
Chemzero
Embase Files
Environmental Bibliographies
127
SDC–Orbit, SDC
Information Service,
2500 Colorado Avenue,
Santa Monica, CA 90406.
National Library of Medicine,
Department of Health and
Human Services, Public
Health Service, National
Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, MD 20209.
Pergamon International
Information Corp.,
1340 Old Chain Bridge Rd.,
McLean, VA 22101.
Questel, Inc.,
1625 Eye Street, NW,
Suite 818
Washington, DC 20006.
Chemical Information System
ICl (ICIS), Bureau of
National Affairs,
1133 15th Street, NW,
Suite 300,
Washington, DC 20005.
Occupational Health
Services, 400 Plaza Drive,
Secaucus, NJ 07094.
Enviroline
Federal Research in
Progress
|RL Life Science Collection
NTIS
Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH)
Paper Chem
CAS Files
Chemdex, 2, 3
NTIS
Hazardous Substances Data
Bank (NSDB)
Medline files
Toxline Files
Cancerlit
RTECS
Chemline
Laboratory Hazard Bulletin
CIS/ILO
Cancernet
Structure and Nomenclature
Search System (SANSS)
Acute Toxicity (RTECS)
Clinical Toxicology of
Commercial Products
Oil and Hazardous Materials
Technical Assistance Data
System
CCRIS
CESARS
MSDS
Hazardline
APPENDIX D TO 1915.99
DEFINITION OF “TRADE SECRET' (MANDATORY)
The following is a reprint of the Restatement of Torts section 757,
comment b (1939):
b. Definition of trade secret. A trade secret may consist of any
formula, pattern, device or compilation of information which is
used in one’s business, and which gives him an opportunity to
obtain an advantage over competitors who do not know or use it.
It may be a formula for a chemical compound, process of manu-
facturing, treating or preserving materials, a pattern for a machine
or other device, or a list of customers. It differs from other secret
information in a business (see S 759 of the Restatement of Torts
which is not included in this Appendix in that it is not simply
information as to single or ephemeral events in the conduct of the
business, as, for example, the amount or other terms of a Secret
bid for a contract or the salary of certain employees, or the Secu-
rity investments made or contemplated, or the date fixed for the
announcement of a new policy or for bringing out a new model or
the like. A trade secret is a process or device for continuous use in
the operations of the business. Generally it relates to the produc-
tion of goods, as, for example, a machine or formula for the pro-
duction of an article. It may, however, relate to the sale of goods
or to other operations in the business, such as a code for deter-
mining discounts, rebates or other concessions in a price list or
catalogue, or a list of specialized customers, or a method of book-
keeping or other office management.
Secrecy. The subject matter of a trade secret must be secret. Mat-
ters of public knowledge or of general knowledge in an industry
cannot be appropriated by one as his secret. Matters which are
completely disclosed by the goods which one markets cannot be
his secret. Substantially, a trade secret is known only in the partic-
ular business in which it is used. It is not requisite that only the
proprietor of the business know it. He may, without losing his
protection, communicate it to employees involved in its use. He
may likewise communicate it to others pledged to Secrecy. Others
may also know of it independently, as, for example, when they
have discovered the process or formula by independent invention
and are keeping it secret. Nevertheless, a substantial element of
secrecy must exist, so that, except by the use of improper means,
there would be difficulty in acquiring the information. An exact
129
definition of a trade secret is not possible. Some factors to be con-
sidered in determining whether given information is one's trade
Secret are: (1) The extent to which the information is known out-
side of his business; (2) the extent to which it is known by employ-
ees and others involved in his business; (3) the extent of measures
taken by him to guard the Secrecy of the information; (4) the value
of the information to him and his competitors; (5) the amount of
effort or money expended by him in developing the information;
(6) the ease or difficulty with which the information could be
properly acquired or duplicated by others.
Novelty and prior art. A trade secret may be a device or process
which is patentable; but it need not be that. It may be a device or
process which is clearly anticipated in the prior art or one which is
merely a mechanical improvement that a good mechanic can
make. Novelty and invention are not requisite for a trade secret as
they are for patentability. These requirements are essential to pat-
entability because a patent protects against unlicensed use of the
patented device or process even by one who discovers it properly
through independent research. The patent monopoly is a reward to
the inventor. But such is not the case with a trade Secret. Its pro-
tection is not based on a policy of rewarding or otherwise encour-
aging the development of secret processes or devices. The protec-
tion is merely against breach of faith and reprehensible means of
learning another’s secret. For this limited protection it is not
appropriate to require also the kind of novelty and invention
which is a requisite of patentability. The nature of the secret is,
however, an important factor in determining the kind of relief that
is appropriate against one who is subject to liability under the rule
Stated in this section. Thus, if the secret consists of a device or
process which is a novel invention, one who acquires the secret
wrongfully is ordinarily enjoined from further use of it and is
required to account for the profits derived from his past use. If,
On the other hand, the Secret consists of mechanical improvements
that a good mechanic can make without resort to the secret, the
wrongdoer’s liability may be limited to damages, and an injunc-
tion against future use of the improvements made with the aid of
the Secret may be inappropriate.
130
Subpart G—Gear and Equipment for Rigging and
Materials Handling
§ 1915.111—Inspection
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repairing,
Shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) All gear and equipment provided by the employer for
rigging and materials handling shall be inspected before
each shift and when necessary, at intervals during its use to
ensure that it is safe. Defective gear shall be removed and
repaired or replaced before further use.
(b) The safe working load of gear as specified in
§§ 1915. 112 and 1915. 113 shall not be exceeded.
§ 1915.112–Ropes, Chains and Slings
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repairing,
Shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) Manila rope and manila rope slings.
(1) Table G-1 in § 1915. 118 shall be used to determine
the safe working load of various sizes of manila rope
and manila rope slings at various angles, except that
higher safe working loads are permissible when recom-
mended by the manufacturer for specific, identifiable
products, provided that a safety factor of not less than
five (5) is maintained.
(b) Wire rope and wire rope slings.
(1) Tables G-2 through G-5 in § 1915.118 shall be used
to determine the safe working loads of various sizes and
classifications of improved plow steel wire rope and wire
131
rope slings with various types of terminals. For sizes,
classifications and grades are included in these tables,
the safe working load recommended by the manufacturer
for specific, identifiable products shall be followed, pro-
vided that a safety factor of not less than five (5) is
maintained.
(2) Protruding ends of strands in splices on slings and
bridles shall be covered or blunted.
(3) Where U-bolt wire rope clips are used to form eyes,
Table G-6 in § 1915.118 shall be used to determine the
number and spacing of clips. The U-bolt shall be
applied so that the “U” section is in contact with the
dead end of the rope.
(4) Wire rope shall not be secured by knots.
(c) Chains and chain slings.
(1) Tables G-7 and G–8 in § 1915. 118 shall be used to
determine the working load limit of various sizes of
wrought iron and alloy steel chains and chain slings,
except that higher safe working loads are permissible
when recommended by the manufacturer for specific,
identifiable products.
(2) All sling chains, including end fastenings, shall be
given a visual inspection before being used on the job. A
thorough inspection of all chains in use shall be made
every 3 months. Each chain shall bear an indication of
the month in which it was thoroughly inspected. The
thorough inspection shall include inspection for wear,
defective welds, deformation and increase in length or
Stretch.
(3) Interlink wear, not accompanied by stretch in excess
of 5 percent, shall be noted and the chain removed from
service when maximum allowable wear at any point of
132
link, as indicated in Table G–9 in § 1915.118 has been
reached.
(4) Chain slings shall be removed from service when, due
to stretch, the increase in length of a measured section
exceeds five (5) percent; when a link is bent, twisted or
otherwise damaged; or when raised scarfs or defective
welds appear.
(5) All repairs to chains shall be made under qualified
Supervision. Links or portions of the chain found to be
defective as described in paragraph (c)(4) of this section
shall be replaced by links having proper dimensions and
made of material similar to that of the chain. Before
repaired chains are returned to service, they shall be
proof tested to the proof test load recommended by the
manufacturer.
(6) Wrought iron chains in constant use shall be
annealed or normalized at intervals not exceeding six
months when recommended by the manufacturer. The
chain manufacturer shall be consulted for recommended
procedures for annealing or normalizing. Alloy chains
shall never be annealed.
(7) A load shall not be lifted with a chain having a kink
or knot in it. A chain shall not be shortened by bolting,
wiring or knotting.
§ 1915.113—Shackles and Hooks
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, Shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
133
(a) Shackles.
(1) Table G-10 in § 1915. 118 shall be used to determine
the safe working loads of various sizes of shackles,
except that higher safe working loads are permissible
when recommended by the manufacturer for specific,
identifiable products, provided that a safety factor of
not less than (5) is maintained.
(b) Hooks.
(1) The manufacturer’s recommendations shall be fol-
lowed in determining the safe working loads of the vari-
ous sizes and types of specific and identifiable hooks.
All hooks for which no applicable manufacturer’s rec-
ommendations are available shall be tested to twice the
intended safe working load before they are initially put
into use. The employer shall maintain and keep readily
available a certification record which includes the date of
Such tests, the signature of the person who performed
the test and an identifier for the hook which was tested.
(2) Loads shall be applied to the throat of the hook
since loading the point overstresses and bends or springs
the hook.
(3) Hooks shall be inspected periodically to see that they
have not been bent by overloading. Bent or sprung
hooks shall not be used.
§ 1915.114–Chain Falls and Pull-Lifts
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) Chain falls and pull-lifts shall be clearly marked to
show the capacity and the capacity shall not be exceeded.
134
(b) Chain falls shall be regularly inspected to ensure that
they are safe, particular attention being given to the lift
chain, pinion, sheaves and hooks for distortion and wear.
Pull-lifts shall be regularly inspected to ensure that they are
safe, particular attention being given to the ratchet, pawl,
chain and hooks for distortion and wear.
(c) Straps, shackles, and the beam or overhead structure to
which a chain fall or pull-lift is secured shall be of ade-
quate strength to support the weight of load plus gear. The
upper hook shall be moused or otherwise secured against
coming free of its support.
(d) Scaffolding shall not be used as a point of attachment
for lifting devices such as tackles, chain falls, and pull-lifts
unless the scaffolding is specifically designed for that
purpose.
§ 1915.115–Hoisting and Hauling
Equipment
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) Derrick and crane certification:
(1) Derricks and cranes which are part of, or regularly
placed aboard barges, other vessels, or on wingwalls of
floating drydocks, and are used to transfer materials or
equipment from or to a vessel or drydock, shall be
tested and certificated in accordance with the standards
provided in Part 1919 of this title by persons accredited
for the purpose.
(b) The moving parts of hoisting and hauling equipment
shall be guarded.
135
(c) Mobile crawler or truck cranes used on a vessel:
(1) The maximum manufacturer’s rated safe working
loads for the various working radii of the boom and the
maximum and minimum radii at which the boom may
be safely used with and without outriggers shall be con-
spicuously posted near the controls and shall be visible
to the operator. A radius indicator shall be provided.
(2) The posted safe working loads of mobile crawler or
truck cranes under the conditions of use shall not be
exceeded.
(d) Accessible areas within the swing radius of the outer-
most part of the body of a revolving derrick or crane
whether permanently or temporarily mounted, shall be
guarded in Such a manner as to prevent an employee from
being in such a position as to be struck by the crane or
caught between the crane and fixed parts of the vessel or
of the crane itself.
(e) Marine railways.
(1) The cradle or carriage on the marine railway shall be
positively blocked or secured when in the hauled posi-
tion to prevent it from being accidentally released.
§ 1915.116—Use of Gear
(a) The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking except that paragraphs
(c) and (d) of this section shall apply to ship repairing and
shipbuilding only.
(b) Loads shall be safely rigged before being hoisted.
136
(c) Plates shall be handled on and off hulls by means of
shackles whenever possible. Clips or pads of ample size
shall be welded to the plate to receive the shackle pins
when there are no holes in the plate. When it is not possi-
ble to make holes in or to weld pads to the plate, alligator
tongs, grab clamps or screw clamps may be used. In such
cases special precautions shall be taken to keep employees
from under such lifts.
(d) Tag lines shall be provided on loads likely to swing or
to need guidance.
(e) When slings are secured to eye-bolts, the slings shall be
so arranged, using spreaders if necessary, that the pull is
within 20 degrees of the axis of the bolt.
(f) Slings shall be padded by means of wood blocks or
other suitable material where they pass over sharp edges or
corners of loads so as to prevent cutting or kinking.
(g) Skips shall be rigged to be handled by not less than 3
legged bridles, and all legs shall always be used. When
open end skips are used, means shall be taken to prevent
the contents from falling.
(h) Loose ends of idle legs of slings in use shall be hung on
the hook.
(i) Employees shall not be permitted to ride the hook or
the load.
(j) Loads (tools, equipment or other materials) shall not be
swung or suspended over the heads of employees.
(k) Pieces of equipment or structure susceptible to falling
or dislodgement shall be secured or removed as early as
possible.
(l) An individual who is familiar with the signal code in
137
use shall be assigned to act as a signalman when the hoist
operator cannot see the load being handled. Communica-
tions shall be made by means of clear and distinct visual
or auditory signals except that verbal signals shall not be
permitted.
(m) Pallets, when used, shall be of such material and con-
struction and so maintained as to safely support and carry
the loads being handled on them.
(n) A section of hatch through which materials or equip-
ment are being raised, lowered, moved, or otherwise
shifted manually or by a crane, winch, hoist, or derrick,
shall be completely opened. The beam or pontoon left in
place adjacent to an opening shall be sufficiently lashed,
locked or otherwise secured to prevent it from being
unshipped so that it cannot be displaced by accident.
(o) Hatches shall not be open or closed while employees
are in the square of the hatch below.
(p) Before loads or empty lifting gear are raised, lowered,
or swung, clear and sufficient advance warning shall be
given to employees in the vicinity of such operations.
(q) At no time shall an employee be permitted to place
himself in a hazardous position between a Swinging load
and a fixed object.
§ 1915.117–Qualifications of Operators
Paragraphs (a) and (d) of this section shall apply to ship
repairing and shipbuilding only. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of
this section shall apply to ship repairing, shipbuilding and
shipbreaking.
138
(a) When ship’s gear is used to hoist materials aboard, a
competent person shall determine that the gear is properly
rigged, that it is in safe condition, and that it will not be
overloaded by the size and weight of the lift.
(b) Only those employees who understand the signs,
notices, and operating instructions, and are familiar with
the signal code in use, shall be permitted to operate a
crane, winch, or other power operated hoisting apparatus.
(c) No employee known to have defective uncorrected eye-
sight or hearing, or to be suffering from heart disease, epi-
lepsy, or similar ailments which may suddenly incapacitate
him, shall be permitted to operate a crane, winch or other
power operated hoisting apparatus.
(d) No minor under eighteen (18) years of age shall be
employed in occupations involving the operation of any
power-driven hoisting apparatus or assisting in such opera-
tions by work Such as hooking on, loading slings, rigging
gear, etc.
§ 1915.118–Tables
The provisions of this section apply to ship repairing,
Shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
139

TABLE E–1.—DIMENSIONS AND SPACING OF WOOD
INDEPENDENT-POLE SCAFFOLD MEMBERS
Structural members
Light duty (Up to 25 pounds per
square foot)—Height in feet
Heavy duty (25 to 75 pounds per
square foot)—Height in feet
24 Or less 24-40 40–60 24 Or less 24-40 40–60
Poles or uprights (in inches)... 2 × 4 3 x 4 or 4 × 4 3 × 4 4 × 4 4 × 6
2 × 6
Bearers (in inches)................. 2 × 6 2 × 6 2 x 6 2 × 8 2 × 8 2 × 10
Ledgers (in inches)................ 2 × 6 2 x 6 2 × 6 2 x 8 2 × 8 2 × 8
Stringers (not supporting
bearers) (in inches)............. 1 × 6 1 × 6 1 × 6 1 × 6 1 × 6 1 × 6
Braces (in inches).................. 1 × 4 1 × 6 1 × 6 1 × 6 1 × 6 1 × 6
Pole spacing—longitudinally
(in feet)............................... 7% 7% 7% 7 7 7
Pole spacing—transversely
(in feet)............................... 6% min 7% min 8% min 6% 10 10
Ledger spacing—vertically
(in feet)............................... 7 7 7 4% 4% 4%
à
TABLE E-2. –SPECIFICATIONS FOR SIDE RAILS
OF LADDERS

Cross section (in inches)
Length (in feet)
At ends At center
15....................................... 17% x 23% 17% x 3%
16....................................... 17/6 x 2% 17% x 3%
18....................................... 17% x 3 17% × 4
20....................................... 17% x 3 17% x 4
24....................................... 17% x 3 17% x 4%
TABLE E–3.-SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF HORSES
Structural Height in feet
members Up to 10 || 10 to 16 | 16 to 20
inches inches inches
Legs...................................... 2 × 4 3 x 4 4 x 6
Bearers or
headers ............................. 2 x 6 2 x 8 4 × 6
Crossbraces.......................... 2 × 4 2 x 4 2 × 6
Or
1 × 8
Longitudinal
braces ............................... 2 × 4 2 × 6 2 × 6

141

TABLE E-4.—SAFE CENTER LOADS FOR SCAFFOLD PLANK OF
1,100 POUNDS FIBRE STRESS
Lumber dimensions in inches
Span in
feet A B A B A B A B A B
2 x 10|1% x 9% |2 x 12|1% x 11% 3 x 8 |2% x 7% (3 x 10|2% x 9% (3 x 12.2% x 11%
6............. 256 309 526 667 807
8............. 192 232 395 500 605
10........... 153 186 316 400 484
12........... 128 155 263 333 404
14........... 110 133 225 286 346
16...........] ........ 1 16 197 250 303
(A)—Rough lumber.
(B)—Dressed lumber.
§

TABLE G–1.—MANILA ROPE
[In pounds or tons of 2,000 pounds]
Diameter in
Circumferences inches Single leg | 60° bridle 45° bridle 30° bridle
lbs. |bs. lbs. lbs.
% ..................................... % 120 204 170 120
1 .....…..................... 5/16 200 346 282 200
1% ................................... % 270 467 380 270
1% ................................... 7/16 350 605 493 350
1% ................................... 1 15/32 450 775 635 450
1% ................................... % 530 915 798 530
1% ................................... 9/16 690 1 190 973 690
2...................................... % 880 1520 1240 880
2% ................................... 3/4 1080 1870 1520 1080
2% ................................... 1 13/16 1300 2250 1830 1300
2% ................................... 7% 1540 2660 2170 1540
3...................................... 1 1800 31.20 2540 1800
Tons Tons Tons Tons
3% ................................... 1 1/16 1.0 1.7 1.4 1.0
3%................................... 1% 1.2 2.1 1.7 1.2
3% ................................... 1% 1.35 2.3 1.9 1.35
4...................................... 1 5/16 1.5 2.6 2.1 1.5
4% ................................... 1% 1.8 3.1 2.5 1.8
5...................................... 15% 2.25 3.9 3.2 2.25
5%................................... 1% 2.6 4.5 3.7 2.6
6...................................... 2 3.1 5.4 4.4 3.1
6% ................................... 2% 3.6 6.2 5.1 3.6
§

Table G-2.—RATED CAPACITIES FOR IMPROVED PLOW STEEL,
INDEPENDENT WIRE ROPE CORE, WIRE ROPE AND WIRE ROPE
SLINGS
[In tons of 2,000 pounds]
Single leg
Rope diameter Vertical Choker
A || B | c A || B C
6 × 19 Classification
%" ............................. .59 .56 .53 .44 .42 .40
%" ............................. 1.3 1.2 1.1 .98 .93 .86
%" ............................. 2.3 2.2 2.0 1.7 1.6 1.5
%" ............................. 3.6 3.4 3.0 2.7 2.5 2.2
%" ............................. 5.1 4.9 4.2 3.8 3.6 3.1
%" ............................. 6.9 6.6 5.5 5.2 4.9 4.
1" .............................. 9.0 8.5 7.2 6.7 6.4 5.4
1%" ........................... 11 10 9.0 8.5 7.8 6.8
6 x 37 Classification
1%" ........................... 13 12 10 9.9 9.2 7.9
1%" ........................... 16 15 13 12 11 9.6
1%" ....….......…...... 19 17 15 14 13 11
1%" ........................... 26 24 20 19 18 15
2" .............................. 33 30 26 25 23 20
2%" ........................... 41 38 33 31 29 25
(A)—Socket or Swaged Terminal attachment.
(B)—Mechanical Sleeve attachment.
(C)—Hand Tucked Splice attachment.
#



TABLE G-3. – RATED CAPACITIES FOR IMPROVED PLOW STEEL,
INDEPENDENT WIRE ROPE CORE, WIRE ROPE SLINGS
[in tons of 2,000 pounds]
Two-leg bridle or basket hitch
Rope Vertical 60° Bridle 45° Bridle 30° Bridle
diameter A || B | C A || B |c A || B | C ATB | c
6 × 19 Classification
1/4" . . . . . . . . 1.2 1.1 1.0 1.0 .97 .92 .83 .79 .75 .59 .56 .53
3/8" . . . . . . . . 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.1
1/2" . . . . . . . . 4.6 4.4 3.9 4.0 3.8 3.4 3.2 3.1 2.8 2.3 2.2 2.0
5/8" . . . . . . . . 7.2 6.8 6.0 6.2 5.9 5.2 5.1 4.8 4.2 3.6 3.4 3.0
3/4" . . . . . . . . 10 9.7 8.4 8.9 8.4 7.3 7.2 6.9 5.9 5.1 4.9 4.2
7/8" . . . . . . . . 14 13 11 12 11 9.6 9.8 9.3 7.8 6.9 6.6 5.5
1 " . . . . . . . . . . 18 17 14 15 15 12 13 12 10 9.0 8.5 7.2
1%" . . . . . . . . . 23 21 18 19 18 16 16 15 13 11 10 9.0
6 x 37 Classification
1%". . . . . . . . . 26 24 21 23 21 18 19 17 15 13 12 10
1%" . . . . . . . . . 32 29 25 28 25 22 22 21 18 16 15 13
1/2" . . . . . . . . . 38 35 30 33 30 26 27 25 21 19 17 15
1%" . . . . . . . . . 51 47 41 44 41 35 36 33 29 26 24 20
2" . . . . . . . . . . 66 64 53 57 53 46 47 43 37 33 30 26
2%" . . . . . . . . . 83 76 66 72 66 57 58 54 47 41 38 33
(A)—Socket or Swaged Terminal Attachment.
(B)—Mechanical Sleeve Attachment.
(C)—Hand Tucked Splice Attachment.
§

TABLE G–4.—RATED CAPACITIES FOR IMPROVED PLOW STEEL,
FIBER CORE, WIRE ROPE AND WIRE ROPE SLINGS
[In tons of 2,000 pounds]
Single leg
Rope diameter Vertical Choker
A || B | C A B | C
6 × 19 Classification
%" ............................. .55 .51 .49 .41 .38 .37
%" ............................. 1.2 1.1 1.1 .91 .85 .80
%" ............................. 2.1 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.4
%" ............................. 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.5 2.3 2.1
%" ............................. 4.8 4.4 3.9 3.6 3.3 2.9
%" ............................. 6.4 5.9 5.1 4.8 4.5 3.9
1" .............................. 8.4 7.7 6.7 6.3 5.8 5.0
1%" ........................... 10 9.5 8.4 7. 7.1 6.3
6 x 37 Classification
1%" ........................... 12 11 9.8 9.2 8.3 7.4
1%" ........................... 15 13 12 11 10 8.9
1%" ........................... 17 16 14 13 12 10
1%" ........................... 24 21 19 18 16 14
2" .............................. 31 28 25 23 21 18
(A)—Socket or Swaged Terminal attachment.
(B)—Mechanical Sleeve attachment.
(C)—Hand Tucked Splice attachment.
§

TABLE G–5.—RATED CAPACITIES FOR IMPROVED PLOW STEEL,
FIBER CORE, WIRE ROPE SLINGS
[In tons of 2,000 pounds]
Two-leg bridle or basket hitch
Rope Vertical 60° bridle 45° bridle 30° bridle
diameter |A|| B | Cº-ATB |c A E B | c |A|B_|_c
6 × 19 Classification
%".................. 1.1 1.0 .99 95 .88 .85 .77 .72 .70 .55 .51 .49
%".................. 2.4 || 2.2 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.2 1.1 1.1
%".................. 4.3 3.9 || 3.7 || 3.7 || 3.4 || 3.2 || 3.0 2.8 || 2.6 2.1 2.0 1.8
%".................. 6.7 6.2 5.6 5.8 5.3 4.8 4.7 4.4 4.0 3.3 3.1 2.8
%".................. 9.5 8.8 7.8 || 8.2 || 7.6 6.8 6.7 6.2 || 5.5 4.8 || 4.4 3.9
%".................. 13 12 10 11 10 8.9 || 9.1 8.4 || 7.3 6.4 || 5.9 5.1
1"................... 17 15 13 14 13 11 12 11 9.4 8.4 || 7.7 || 6.7
1%"................ 21 19 17 18 16 14 15 13 12 10 || 9.5 8.4
6 x 37 Classification
1%"................ 25 22 20 21 19 17 17 16 14 12 11 9.8
1%"................ 30 27 24 26 23 20 21 19 17 15 13 12
1%"................ 35 32 28 30 27 24 25 22 20 17 16 14
1%"................ 48 43 38 41 37 33 34 30 27 24 21 19
2"................... 62 55 49 53 48 43 43 39 35 31 28 25
(A)—Socket or Swaged Terminal attachment.
(B)—Mechanical Sleeve attachment.
(C)—Hand Tucked Splice attachment.
§
TABLE G–6.—NUMBER AND SPACING OF
U-BOLT WIRE ROPE CLIPS

Improved plow Number of clips M.
steel, rope Dro m
& * p Other Spacing,
diameter, inches forged material inches
(')…~|~!…l…
% .….................................... 3 4 3
% ................................................ 3 4 3%
% ................................................ 4 5 4%
% .…....... 4. 5 5%
1…. 4 6 6
1%............................................... 5 6 6%
1%,.…...... 5 7 7%
1%............................................... 6 7 8%
1%............................................... 6 8 9
'Three clips shall be used on wire size less than %-inch diameter.
TABLE G-7.-WROUGHT IRON CHAIN
[in pounds or tons of 2,000 pounds]

Nominal size Single 600 450 309
chain stock leg bridle bridle bridle
%"' … 1060 1835 1500 1060
5/16"’................................. 1655 2865 2340 1655
%"' … 2385 2.1 3370 2385
7/16"'....…....................... 3250 2.8 2.3 3250
%" ...................................... 2.1 3.7 3.0 2.1
9/16"’................................. 2.7 4.6 3.8 2.7
%" ...................................... 3.3 5.7 4.7 3.3
%" ...................................... 4.8 8.3 6.7 4.8
%" ...................................... 6.5 11.2 9.2 6.5
1"...............….................... 8.5 14.7 12.0 8.5
1%" .................................... 10.0 17.3 14.2 10.0
1%" .................................... 12.4 21.4 17.5 12.4
1%" .................................... 15.0 25.9 21.1 15.0
1%" .................................... 17.8 30.8 25.2 17.8
1%" .................................... 20.9 36.2 29.5 20.9
1%" .................................... 24.2 42.0 34.3 24.2
1%" .................................... 27.6 47.9 39.1 27.6
2"....................................... 31.6 54.8 44.8 31.6
' These sizes of wrought iron chain are no longer manufactured in the
United States.
148
TABLE G–8.—ALLOY STEEL CHAIN
[In tons of 2,000 pounds]

tº: & º Single 600 450 300
Nominal size chain stock leg bridle bridle bridle
%" ...................................... 1.62 2.82 2.27 1.62
%" ...................................... 3.30 5.70 4,65 3.30
%" ...................................... 5.62 9.75 7.90 5.62
%" ...................................... 8.25 14.25 11.65 8.25
%" ...................................... 11.5 19.9 16.2 11.5
%" ...................................... 14.3 24.9 20.3 14.3
1"...............…...... 19.3 33.5 27.3 19.8
1%" .................................... 22.2 38.5 31.5 22.2
1%" .................................... 28.7 49.7 40.5 28.7
1%" .................................... 33.5 58.0 47.0 33.5
1%" .................................... 39.7 68.5 56.0 39.7
1%" .................................... 42.5 73.5 59.5 42.5
1%" .................................... 47.0 84.5 62.0 47.0
TABLE G–9.--MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WEAR AT
ANY POINT OF LINK

Maximum
allowable
Chain size in inches wear in
fraction
of inches
% (9/32)....................................................................... 3/64
% ................................................................................ 5/64
% ........................…....................…. 7/64
% ................................................................................ 9/64
% ................................................................................ 5/32
% ................................................................................ 1-1/64
1....…....................................................................... 3/16
1% .............................................................................. 7/32
1% .....................................…................................... %
1% .............................................................................. 9/32
1% .............................................................................. 5/16
1% ............................................................................. 1-1/32
149
TABLE G-10. –SAFE WORKING LOADS FOR
SHACKLES
[In tons of 2,000 pounds]

Pin Safe
Material size (inches) diameter working
(inches) load
% ................................................... % 1.4
% .....................…....................... % 2.2
% .…................ 7% 3.2
% .…....…. 1 4.3
1.…........................................ 1% 5.6
1% ................................................. 1% 6.7
*% ................................................. 1% 8.2
1% ................................................. 1% 10.0
1% .…...…........................... 1% 11.9
1% ..…............... 2 16.2
2.…....…........... 2% 21.2
TABLE I-1.-FILTER LENSES FOR PROTECTION
AGAINST RADIANT ENERGY

Operation Shade No.
Soldering..................................................................... 2.
Torch Brazing .............................................................. 3 or 4.
Light cutting, up to 1 inch............................................ 3 or 4.
Medium Cutting, 1–6 inches......................................... 4. Or 5.
Heavy Cutting, Over 6 inches........................................ 5 or 6.
Light gas welding, up to ¥6 inch................................... 4. Or 5.
Medium gas welding, Vá–% inch.................................. 5 Or 6.
Heavy gas welding, over /2 inch.................................. 6 or 8.
Shielded Metal-Arc Welding 1/16 to 5/32-inch
electrodes ................................................................ 10.
Inert-gas Metal-Arc Welding (Non-ferrous) 1/16- to
5/32-inch electrodes................................................. 11.
Shielded Metal-Arc Welding:
3/16- to "/4-inch electrodes........................................ 12.
5/16- and %-inch electrodes..................................... 14.
150
Subpart H–Tools and Related Equipment
§ 1915.131—General Precautions
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repairing,
shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) Hand lines, slings, tackles of adequate strength, or car-
riers such as tool bags with shoulder straps shall be pro-
vided and used to handle tools, materials, and equipment
so that employees will have their hands free when using
ship's ladders and access ladders. The use of hose or elec-
tric cords for this purpose is prohibited.
(b) When air tools of the reciprocating type are not in use,
the dies and tools shall be removed.
(c) All portable, power-driven circular saws shall be
equipped with guards above and below the base plate or
shoe. The upper guard shall cover the saw to the depth of
the teeth, except for the minimum arc required to permit
the base to be tilted for bevel cuts. The lower guard shall
cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the min-
imum arc required to allow proper retraction and contact
with the work. When the tool is withdrawn from the work,
the lower guard shall automatically and instantly return to
the covering position.
(d) The moving parts of machinery on dry dock shall be
guarded.
(e) Before use, pneumatic tools shall be secured to the
extension hose or whip by some positive means to prevent
the tool from becoming accidentally disconnected from the
whip.
(f) The moving parts of drive mechanisms, such as gearing
and belting on large portable tools, shall be adequately
guarded. 151
(g) Headers, manifolds and widely spaced hose connection
on compressed air lines shall bear the word “air” in letters
at least 1 inch high, which shall be painted either on the
manifold or separate hose connections, or on signs perma-
nently attached to the manifolds or connections. Grouped
air connections may be marked in one location.
(h) Before use, compressed air hose shall be examined. Vis-
ibly damaged and unsafe hose shall not be used.
§ 1915.132—Portable Electric Tools
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking except that paragraph
(e) of this section applies to ship repairing only.
(a) The frames of portable electric tools and appliances,
except double insulated tools approved by Underwriters’
Laboratories, shall be grounded either through a third wire
in the cable containing the circuit conductors or through a
separate wire which is grounded at the source of the
Current.
(b) Grounding circuits, other than by means of the struc-
ture of the vessel on which the tool is being used, shall be
checked to ensure that the circuit between the ground and
the grounded power conductor has resistance which is low
enough to permit sufficient current to flow to cause the
fuse or circuit breaker to interrupt the current.
(c) Portable electric tools which are held in the hand shall
be equipped with switches of a type which must be manu-
ally held in the closed position.
(d) Worn or frayed electric cables shall not be used.
152
(e) The employer shall notify the officer in charge of the
vessel before using electric power tools operated with the
vessel’s current.
§ 1915.133—Hand Tools
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repairing,
shipbuilding and shipbreaking.
(a) Employers shall not issue or permit the use of unsafe
hand tools.
(b) Wrenches, including crescent, pipe, end and socket
wrenches, shall not be used when jaws are sprung to the
point that slippage occurs.
(c) Impact tools, such as drift pins, wedges, and chisels,
shall be kept free of mushroomed heads.
(d) The wooden handles of tools shall be kept free of splin-
ters or cracks and shall be kept tight in the tool.
§ 1915.134—Abrasive Wheels
This section shall apply to ship repairing, Shipbuilding,
and shipbreaking.
(a) Floor stand and bench mounted abrasive wheels used
for external grinding shall be provided with safety guards
(protection hoods). The maximum angular exposure of the
grinding wheel periphery and sides shall be not more than
90 degrees, except that when work requires contact with
the wheel below the horizontal plane of the spindle, the
angular exposure shall not exceed 125 degrees. In either
case the exposure shall begin not more than 65 degrees
above the horizontal plane of the Spindle. Safety guards
153
shall be strong enough to withstand the effect of a bursting
wheel.
(b) Floor and bench mounted grinders shall be provided
with Work rests which are rigidly Supported and readily
adjustable. Such work rests shall be kept a distance not to
exceed 4 inch from the surface of the wheel.
(c) Cup type wheels used for external grinding shall be pro-
tected by either a revolving cup guard or a band type guard
in accordance with the provisions of the United States of
America Standard Safety Code for the Use, Care, and Pro-
tection of Abrasive Wheels, B7.1. All other portable abra-
sive wheels used for external grinding shall be provided
With Safety guards (protection hoods) meeting the require-
ments of paragraph (e) of this Section, except as follows:
(1) When the work location makes it impossible, in
which case a wheel equipped with safety flanges as
described in paragraph (f) of this Section shall be used.
(2) When wheels 2 inches or less in diameter which are
Securely mounted on the end of a Steel mandrel are used.
(d) Portable abrasive wheels used for internal grinding shall
be provided with safety flanges (protection flanges) meet-
ing the requirements of paragraph (f) of this Section,
except as follows:
(1) When wheels 2 inches or less in diameter which are
Securely mounted on the end of a steel mandrel are used.
(2) If the wheel is entirely within the work being ground
while in use.
(e) When safety guards are required, they shall be SO
mounted as to maintain proper alignment with the wheel,
and the guard and its fastenings shall be of Sufficient
#54
Strength to retain fragments of the wheel in case of acci-
dental breakage. The maximum angular exposure of the
grinding wheel periphery and sides shall not exceed 180
degrees.
(f) When safety flanges are required, they shall be used
Only with wheels designed to fit the flanges. Only safety
flanges of a type and design and properly assembled so as
to insure that the pieces of the wheel will be retained in
case of accidental breakage shall be used.
(g) All abrasive wheels shall be closely inspected and ring
tested before mounting to ensure that they are free from
cracks or defects.
(h) Grinding wheels shall fit freely on the Spindle and shall
not be forced on. The spindle nut shall be tightened only
enough to hold the wheel in place.
(i) The power supply shall be sufficient to maintain the
rated Spindle Speed under all conditions of normal grind-
ing. The rated maximum speed of the wheel shall not be
exceeded.
(j) All employees using abrasive wheels shall be protected
by eye protection equipment in accordance with the
requirements of §§ 1915. 151(a) and (b), except when ade-
quate eye protection is afforded by eye shields which are
permanently attached to the bench or floor stand.
§ 1915.135—Powder Actuated Fastening
Tools
(a) The Section shall apply to ship repairing and shipbuild-
ing only.
(b) General precautions.
155
(1) Powder actuated fastening tools shall be tested each
day before loading to ensure that the safety devices are
in proper working condition. Any tool found not to be
in proper working order shall be immediately removed
from service until repairs are made.
(2) Powder actuated fastening tools shall not be used in
an explosive or flammable atmosphere.
(3) All tools shall be used with the type of shield or
muzzle guard appropriate for a particular use.
(4) Fasteners shall not be driven into very hard or brittle
materials such as cast iron, glazed tile, surface hardened
steel, glass block, live rock, face brick or hollow title.
(5) Fasteners shall not be driven into Soft materials
unless such materials are backed by a substance that will
prevent the pin or fastener from passing completely
through and creating a flying missile hazard on the
opposite side.
(6) Unless a special guard, fixture or jig is used, fasten-
ers shall not be driven directly into materials such as
brick or concrete within 3 inches of the unsupported
edge or corner, or into steel surfaces within Ż inch of
the unsupported edge or corner. When fastening other
material, such as 2 × 4 inch lumber to a concrete Sur-
face, fasteners of greater than 742 inch shank diameter
shall not be used and fasteners shall not be driven within
2 inches of the unsupported edge or corner of the work
surface.
(7) Fasteners shall not be driven through existing holes
unless a positive guide is used to secure accurate
alignment.
(8) No attempt shall be made to drive a fastener into a
Spalled area caused by an unsatisfactory fastening.
156
(9) Employees using powder actuated fastening tools
shall be protected by eye protection equipment in accor-
dance with the requirements of §§ 1915. 151(a) and (b).
(c) Instruction of operators. Before employees are permit-
ted to use powder actuated tools, they shall have been
thoroughly instructed by a competent person with respect
to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section and
the safe use of such tools as follows:
(1) Before using a tool, the operator shall inspect it to
determine that it is clean, that all moving parts operate
freely and that the barrel is free from obstructions.
(2) When a tool develops a defect during use, the opera-
tor shall immediately cease to use it and shall notify his
Supervisor.
(3) Tools shall not be loaded until just prior to the
intended firing time and the tool shall not be left unat-
tended while loaded.
(4) The tool, whether loaded or empty, shall not be
pointed at any person, and hands shall be kept clear of
the open barrel end.
(5) In case of a misfire, the operator shall hold the tool
in the operating position for at least 15 seconds and
shall continue to hold the muzzle against the work Sur-
face during disassembly or opening of the tool and
removal of the powder load.
(6) Neither tools nor powder charges shall be left unat-
tended in places where they would be available to unau-
thorized persons.
157
§ 1915.136—Internal Combustion Engines,
Other Than Ship's Equipment
The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing, Shipbuilding and Shipbreaking.
(a) When internal combustion engines furnished by the
employer are used in a fixed position below decks, for Such
purposes as driving pumps, generators, and blowers, the
exhaust shall be led to the open air, clear of any ventilation
intakes and openings through which it might enter the
vessel.
(b) All exhaust line joints and connections shall be checked
for tightness immediately upon starting the engine, and
any leaks shall be corrected at once.
(c) When internal combustion engines on vehicles, such as
forklifts and mobile cranes, or on portable equipment such
as fans, generators, and pumps exhaust into the
atmosphere below decks, the competent person shall make
tests of the carbon monoxide content of the atmosphere as
frequently as conditions require to ensure that dangerous
concentrations do not develop. Employees shall be removed
from the compartment involved when the carbon monoxide
concentration exceeds 50 parts per million (0.005%). The
employer shall use blowers sufficient in size and number
and so arranged as to maintain the concentration below
this allowable limit before work is resumed.
158
Subpart l—Personal Protective Equipment
§ 1915.151—Eye Protection
(a) General precautions.
(1) All eye protection equipment required by these regu-
lations shall meet the Specifications prescribed by the
American Standard Safety Code for Head, Eye and Res-
piratory Protection, Z2. 1.
(2) Eye protection equipment shall be maintained in
good condition.
(3) Eye protection equipment which has previously been
used shall be cleaned and disinfected before it is issued
by the employer to another employee.
(4) Employees who wear corrective spectacles while
engaged in eye hazardous work shall be protected by eye
protection equipment of a type which can be worn over
personnel Spectacles, except that glasses with prescription
ground Safety lenses may be worn in lieu of cover gog-
gles when such glasses provide suitable protection
against the hazard involved.
(b) Protection against impact.
(1) In any operations such as chipping, caulking, drill-
ing, riveting, grinding, and pouring babbitt metal, in
which the eye hazard of flying particles, molten metal,
or liquid chemical exists, employees shall be protected by
Suitable face shields or goggles meeting the requirements
Of paragraph (a) of this Section.
(c) Protection against radiant energy.
(1) In any operation in which the eye hazard of injurious
light rays or other radiant energy exists, depending upon
i59
the intensity of the radiation to which employees are
exposed, they shall be protected by spectacles, cup gog-
gles, helmets, hand shields, or face shields equipped
with filter lenses meeting the requirements of paragraphs
(a) and (c)(2) of this section.
(2) Filter lenses shall be of a shade number appropriate
to the type of work to be performed as indicated in
Table I-1 in § 1915.118, except that variation of one or
two shade numbers is permissible to suit individual
preferences.
(3) If filter lenses are used in the goggles worn under the
helmet, the shade number of the lens in the helmet may
be reduced so that the sum of the shade numbers of the
two lenses will equal the value shown in Table I–1 in
§ 1915.118.
§ 1915.152—Respiratory Protection
(a) General.
(1) All respiratory equipment required by this Part shall
be approved for the use for which it is intended by the
Mine Safety and Health Administration and the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
pursuant to the provisions of 30 CFR Part 11. Respira-
tory protective equipment shall be used only for the pur-
pose intended and no modifications of the equipment
shall be made.
(2) Respiratory protective equipment shall be inspected
regularly and maintained in good condition. Gas mask
canisters and chemical cartridges shall be replaced as
necessary So as to provide complete protection. Mechani-
cal filters shall be cleaned or replaced as necessary so as
to avoid undue resistance to breathing.
160
(3) Respiratory protective equipment which has been pre-
viously used shall be cleaned and disinfected before it is
issued by the employer to another employee. Emergency
rescue equipment shall be cleaned and disinfected imme-
diately after each use.
(4) Employees required to use respiratory protective
equipment approved for use in atmospheres immediately
dangerous to life shall be thoroughly trained in its use.
Employees required to use other types of respiratory pro-
tective equipment shall be instructed in the use and limi-
tations of such equipment.
(5) When an air line respirator is used, the air line shall
be fitted with a pressure regulating valve and a filter
which will remove oil, water and rust particles. The air
intake shall be from a source which is free from all con-
taminants, such as the exhaust from internal combustion
engines.
(6) In all cases when an employee is stationed outside a
compartment, tank or space as a tender or safety man
for men working inside in an atmosphere immediately
dangerous to life, the tender shall have immediately
available for emergency use respiratory protective equip-
ment equivalent to that required for the men in the com-
partment. When a tender is stationed outside a compart-
ment for men working inside in an atmosphere not
immediately dangerous to life, the tender shall wear res-
piratory protective equipment equivalent to that required
for the men in the compartment if he is exposed for pro-
longed periods to the same concentration of atmospheric
contaminants.
(b) Protection in atmospheres immediately dangerous to
life.
(1) Atmospheres immediately dangerous to life are those
which contain less then 16.5 percent oxygen, or which by
161
reason of the high toxicity of the contaminant, as in
fumigation, or high concentration of the contaminant,
as with carbon dioxide, would endanger the life of a per-
son breathing them for even a short period of time.
(2) In atmospheres immediately dangerous to life the
only approved types of respiratory protective equipment
are the following:
(i) Self-contained breathing apparatus, in which the
wearer carries with him a supply of oxygen, air, or an
Oxygen generating material.
(ii) Hose mask with blower, in which a hand or motor
operated blower supplies air at high volume and low
pressure through a large diameter hose through which
the wearer can draw air in case the blower fails.
(iii) If there is known to be more than 16 percent oxy-
gen and less than 2 percent gas by volume, a gas mask
equipped with a canister approved for the particular
type gas involved.
Note.—A gas mask offers absolutely no protection in an
atmosphere deficient in oxygen.
(3) Work in atmospheres immediately dangerous to life
shall be performed only in an emergency, as when rescu-
ing a man who has been overcome or when shutting off
a source of contamination that cannot otherwise be con-
trolled. When an employee enters such an atmosphere he
shall be provided with and use an adequate, attended life
line.
(4) In the vicinity of each vessel in which there is a dan-
ger of employees being exposed to an atmosphere imme-
diately dangerous to life, the employer shall have on
hand and ready for use respiratory protective equipment
approved for such use. When such equipment is
162
required, one or more persons shall be thoroughly
trained in the use of the equipment.
(c) Protection against gaseous contaminants not immedi-
ately dangerous to life.
(1) Gaseous contaminants not immediately dangerous to
life are gases present in concentrations that could be
breathed for a short period without endangering the life
of a person breathing them, but which might produce
discomfort and possible injury after a prolonged single
exposure or repeated short exposures.
(2) When employees are exposed to a gaseous contami-
nated atmosphere not immediately dangerous to life,
they shall be protected by respiratory protective equip-
ment approved for use in the type and concentration of
the gaseous contaminant as follows:
(i) In high or unknown concentrations, a hose mask
or an air line respirator. The use of either a hose mask
or an air line respirator in lower concentrations is
permissible.
(ii) In concentrations of ammonia of less than 3 per-
cent, or of other gases less than 2 percent, by volume,
a canister type gas mask equipped with the proper
type of canister. Different canisters are approved for
Specific use against the following gases or groups of
gases: Acid gases, hydrocyanic acid gas, chlorine gas,
organic Vapors, ammonia gas, carbon monoxide, or
combination of the above.
(iii) In low concentrations (less than 0.1 percent by
Volume), a chemical cartridge respirator equipped with
the type of cartridge approved for use against the par-
ticular gases or groups of gases listed in paragraph
(c)(2)(ii) of this section.
163
(d) Protection against particulate contaminants not imme-
diately dangerous to life.
(1) When employees are exposed to unsafe concentra-
tions of particular contaminants, such as dusts and
fumes, mists and fogs or combinations of solids and liq-
uids, they shall be protected by either air line or filter
respirators, except as otherwise provided in this part.
(2) Filter respirators shall be equipped with the proper
type of filter. Different filters are approved for specific
protection against groups of contaminants as follows:
(i) Pneumoconiosis-producing dust and nuisance dust
filters which provide respiratory protection against
pneumoconiosis-producing dusts, such as aluminum,
cellulose, cement, charcoal, coal, coke, flour, gypsum,
iron ore, limestone and wood.
(ii) Toxic dust filters which provide respiratory protec-
tion against toxic dusts that are not significantly more
toxic than lead, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium,
lead, manganese, selenium, vanadium, and their
compounds.
(iii) Mist filters which provide respiratory protection
against pneumoconiosis-producing mists, chromic acid
mists, and nuisance mists.
(iv) Fume filters which provide respiratory protection
against fumes (solid dispersoids or particulate matter
formed by the condensation of vapors, such as those
from heated metals and other substances).
(v) Filters which provide respiratory protection against
combinations of two or more of the contaminants
described in paragraphs (d)(2) (i) through (iv) of this
section.
164
(e) Protection against combinations of gaseous and partic-
ular contaminants not immediately dangerous to life.
(1) When employees are exposed to combinations of gas-
eous and particulate contaminants not immediately dan-
gerous to life, as in spray painting, they shall be protected
by respiratory protective equipment approved for use in
the type and concentration of the contaminants, as
follows:
(i) In high or unknown concentrations, a hose mask
or an air line respirator. The use of either a hose mask
or an air line respirator is permissible in lower
concentrations.
(ii) In concentrations of gaseous contaminants of less
than 2 percent by Volume, a canister type gas mask
with a combination canister approved for the particu-
lar type of gaseous contaminant as specified in para-
graph (c)(2) of this section and a filter for the particu-
lar type of particulate contaminant as specified in
paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(iii) In low concentrations of gaseous contaminants
(less then 0.1 percent by volume) a respirator equipped
with the type of cartridge and filter as specified in
paragraph (e)(ii) of this section.
§ 1915.153—Head, Foot And Body
Protection
(a) When employees are working in areas where there is
danger of falling objects they shall be protected by protec-
tive hats.
(b) Protective hats shall meet the specifications contained
in the United States of America Standard Safety Code for
165
Head, Eye, and Respiratory Protection, Z2.1. Hats without
dielectric strength shall not be used where there is the pos-
sibility of contact with electric conductors.
(c) Protective hats which have been previously worn shall
be cleaned and disinfected before they are issued by the
employer to another employee.
(d) The employer shall arrange through means such as ven-
dors or local stores, or otherwise, to make safety shoes
readily available to all employees, and shall encourage their
use. Metal toe caps from which the covering has been worn
shall be insulated when employees are working on exposed
energized circuits of the vessel’s electrical system.
(e) Employees shall not be permitted to wear excessively
greasy clothing when performing hot work operations.
(f) Employees shall be protected by Suitable gloves when
engaged in operations hazardous to their hands.
§ 1915.154—Lifesaving Equipment
(a) Personal flotation devices.
(1) Any personal flotation device shall be approved by
the United States Coast Guard as a Type I PFD, Type II
PFD, Type III PFD, or Type V PFD or their equivalent,
pursuant to 46 CFR Part 160 (Coast Guard Lifesaving
Equipment Specifications) and 33 CFR 175.23 (Coast
Guard table devices equivalent to personal flotation
devices).
(2) Prior to each use, personal flotation devices shall be
inspected for dry rot, chemical damage, or other defects
which may affect their strength and buoyancy. Defective
personal flotation devices shall not be used.
166
(b) Safety belts and lifelines.
(1) Safety belts shall be equipped with lifelines which in
use are secured with a minimum of slack to a fixed
Structure.
(2) Prior to each use, belts and lifelines shall be
inspected for dry rot, chemical damage, or other defects
which may affect their strength. Defective belts and life-
lines shall not be used.
(3) When employees are working in any location requir-
ing a safety belt and a lifeline, care shall be exercised to
ensure that the lifeline is not cut, pinched, or led over a
Sharp edge. In hot work operations or those involving
the use of acids, solvents, or caustics, the line shall be
kept clear to avoid its being burned or weakened. In
order to keep the lifeline continuously attached with
minimum of slack to a fixed structure the attachment
point of the lifeline shall be appropriately changed as
the work progresses.
(c) Life rings and ladders.
(1) At least three 30 inch Coast Guard approved life
rings with lines attached shall be kept in easily visible
and readily accessible places aboard each vessel afloat on
which work is being performed. Life rings shall be
located, one forward, one aft, and one on the gangway,
except on vessels under 200 feet in length, in which case
One at the gangway will be sufficient.
(2) At least one life ring with a line attached shall be
located on each Staging float alongside a vessel on which
work is being performed.
(3) At least 90 feet of line shall be attached to each life
ring. Life rings and lines shall be maintained in good
condition.
167
(4) In the vicinity of each vessel afloat in which work is
being performed there shall be at least one portable or
permanent ladder of sufficient length to assist employees
to reach safety in the event that they fall into the water.
Subpart J–Ship's Machinery and Piping Systems
§ 1915.161—Scope and Application
The standards contained in this subpart shall apply to
ship repairing and shipbuilding and shall not apply to
shipbreaking.
§ 1915. 162—Ship's Boilers
(a) Before work is performed in the fire, steam, or water
Spaces of a boiler where employees may be subject to
injury from the direct escape of a high temperature
medium Such as Steam, or water, oil, or other medium at a
high temperature entering from an interconnecting system,
the employer shall insure that the following steps are taken:
(1) The isolation and shutoff valves connecting the dead
boiler with the live system or Systems shall be secured,
blanked, and tagged indicating that employees are work-
ing in the boiler. This tag shall not be removed nor the
valves unblanked until it is determined that this may be
done without creating a hazard to the employees work-
ing in the boiler, or until the work in the boiler is com-
pleted. Where valves are welded instead of bolted at least
two isolation and shutoff valves connecting the dead
boiler with the live system or systems shall be secured,
locked, and tagged.
168
(2) Drain connections to atmosphere on all of the dead
interconnecting systems shall be opened for visual obser-
Vation of drainage.
(3) A warning sign calling attention to the fact that
employees are working in the boilers shall be hung in a
conspicuous location in the engine room. This sign shall
not be removed until it is determined that the work is
completed and all employees are out of the boilers.
§ 1915.163—Ship's Piping Systems
(a) Before work is performed on a valve, fitting, or section
of piping in a piping system where employees may be sub-
ject to injury from the direct escape of steam, or water,
oil, or other medium at a high temperature, the employer
shall insure that the following steps are taken:
(1) The isolation and shutoff valves connecting the dead
system with the life system or systems shall be secured,
blanked, and tagged indicating that employees are work-
ing on the systems. This tag shall not be removed nor
the valves unblanked until it is determined that this may
be done without creating a hazard to the employees
working on the system, or until the work on the system
is completed. Where valves are welded instead of bolted
at least two isolation and shutoff valves connecting the
dead system with the live system or systems shall be
Secured, locked, and tagged.
(2) Drain connections to atmosphere on all of the dead
interconnecting systems shall be opened for visual obser-
Vation of drainage.
169
§ 1915.164—Ship's Propulsion Machinery
(a) Before work is performed on the main engine, reduc-
tion gear, or connecting accessories, the employer shall
ensure that the following steps are taken:
(1) The jacking gear shall be engaged to prevent the
main engine from turning over. A sign shall be posted at
the throttle indicating that the jacking gear is engaged.
This sign shall not be removed until the jacking gear can
be safely disengaged.
(2) If the jacking gear is steam driven, the stop valves to
the jacking gear shall be secured, locked, and tagged
indicating that employees are working on the main
engine.
(3) If the jacking gear is electrically driven, the circuit
controlling the jacking gear shall be deemergized by trip-
ping the circuit breaker, opening the switch or removing
the fuse, whichever is appropriate. The breaker, switch,
or fuse location shall be tagged indicating that employ-
ees are working on the main engine.
(b) Before the jacking engine is operated, the following
precautions shall be taken:
(1) A check shall be made to ensure that all employees,
equipment, and tools are clear of the engine, reduction
gear, and its connecting accessories.
(2) A check shall be made to ensure that all employees,
equipment and tools are free of the propeller.
(c) Before work is started on or in the immediate vicinity
of the propeller, a warning sign calling attention to the fact
that employees are working in that area shall be hung in a
conspicuous location in the engine room. This sign shall
170
not be removed until it is determined that the work is com-
pleted and all employees are free of the propeller.
(d) Before the main engine is turned over (e.g., when
warming up before departure or testing after an overhaul)
a check shall be made to ensure that all employees, equip-
ment, and tools are free of the propeller.
§ 1915.165—Ship's Deck Machinery
(a) Before work is performed on the anchor windlass or
any of its attached accessories, the employer shall ensure
that the following steps are taken:
(1) The devil claws shall be made fast to the anchor
chains.
(2) The riding pawls shall be in the engaged position.
(3) In the absence of devil claws and riding pawls, the
anchor chains shall be secured to a suitable fixed struc-
ture of the vessel.
Subpart K–Portable, Unfired Pressure Vessels,
Drums and Containers, Other Than Ship's Equipment
§ 1915.171—Scope and Application of
Subpart
The Standards contained in this subpart shall apply to ship
repairing and shipbuilding and shall not apply to
Shipbreaking.
171
§ 1915.172—Portable Air Receivers and
Other Unfired Pressure Vessels
(a) Portable, unfired pressure vessels, built after the effec-
tive date of this regulation, shall be marked and reported
indicating that they have been designed and constructed to
meet the standards of the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section XIII,
Rules for Construction of Unfired Pressure Vessels, 1963.
They shall be subjected to a hydrostatic pressure test of
one and one-half times the working pressure of the vessels.
(b) Portable, unfired pressure vessels, not built to the code
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, and built
prior to the effective date of this regulation, shall be exam-
ined quarterly by a competent person. They shall be sub-
jected yearly to a hydrostatic pressure test of one and one-
half times the working pressure of the vessels.
(c) The relief valves on the portable, unfired pressure ves-
sels in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall be set to
the safe working pressure of the vessels, or set to the low-
est safe working pressure of the systems, whichever is
lower.
(d) A certification record of such examinations and tests
made in compliance with the requirements of paragraphs
(a) and (b) of this section shall be maintained. The certifi-
cation record shall include the date of examinations and
tests, the signature of the person who performed the exam-
inations or tests and the serial number, or other identifier,
of the equipment examined and tested.
§ 1915.173–Drums and Containers
(a) Shipping drums and containers shall not be pressurized
to remove their contents.
172
(b) A temporarily assembled pressurized piping system con-
veying hazardous liquids or gases shall be provided with a
relief valve and by-pass to prevent rupture of the system
and the escape of such hazardous liquids or gases.
(c) Pressure vessels, drums and containers containing toxic
or flammable liquids or gases shall not be stored or used
where they are subject to open flame, hot metal, or other
sources of artificial heat.
(d) Unless pressure vessels, drums and containers of 30
gallon capacity or over containing flammable or toxic liq-
uids or gases are placed in an out-of-the-way area where
they will not be subject to physical injury from an outside
Source, barriers or guards shall be erected to protect them
from such physical injury.
(e) Containers of 55 gallons or more capacity containing
flammable or toxic liquid shall be surrounded by dikes or
pans which enclose a volume equal to at least 35 percent
of the total volume of the containers.
(f) Fire extinguishers adequate in number and suitable for
the hazard shall be provided. These extinguishers shall be
located in the immediate area where pressure vessels,
drums and containers containing flammable liquids or
gases are stored or in use. Such extinguishers shall be ready
for use at all times.
Subpart L–Electrical Machinery
§ 1915.181—Electrical Circuits and
Distribution Boards
(a) The provisions of this section shall apply to ship repair-
ing and shipbuilding and shall not apply to shipbreaking.
173
(b) Before an employee is permitted to work on an electri-
cal circuit, except when the circuit must remain energized
for testing and adjusting, the circuit shall be deemergized
and checked at the point at which the work is to be done
to insure that it is actually deemergized. When testing or
adjusting an energized circuit a rubber mat, duck board,
or other suitable insulation shall be used underfoot where
an insulated deck does not exist.
(c) Deenergizing the circuit shall be accomplished by open-
ing the circuit breaker, opening the switch, or removing the
fuse, whichever method is appropriate. The circuit breaker,
Switch, or fuse location shall be tagged to indicate that an
employee is working on the circuit. Such tags shall not be
removed nor the circuit energized until it is definitely deter-
mined that the work on the circuit has been completed.
(d) When work is performed immediately adjacent to an
open-front energized board or in back of an energized
board, the board shall be covered or some other equally
safe means shall be used to prevent contact with any of the
energized parts.
The Onsite Consultation Program
The onsite safety and health consultation program is avail-
able to employers in all states who want help in recognizing
and correcting safety and health hazards in their work-
places through free onsite consultation services funded by
OSHA. The service is performed by state governments or
private sector contractors using well-trained professional
staffs.
As with other voluntary approaches, OSHA’s belief is that
consultation is a way of improving workplace safety and
health conditions without direct intervention by federal or
state enforcement officials. Every workplace improved
174
through a voluntary program frees OSHA inspectors to
attend to more serious problems in other work sites.
Primarily targeted for smaller businesses, the onsite consul-
tation program is completely separate from the OSHA
inspection effort. No citations are issued or penalties pro-
posed for any safety or health problems found in your
workplace. The service is confidential. Your name, your
firm’s name, and any information you provide about your
workplace, plus any unsafe or unhealthful working condi-
tions that the consultant uncovers, will not be reported
routinely to the OSHA inspection staff.
Your only obligation is to commit yourself to correcting, in
a timely manner, serious job safety and health hazards.
You will be asked to make this commitment prior to the
actual visit.
The onsite consultants perform the following:
• Help you recognize hazards in your workplace.
* Suggest general approaches or options for solving a
safety or health problem.
• Assist you in developing or maintaining an effective
Safety and health program.
• Identify the kinds of help available if you need further
assistance.
• Offer training and education for you and your employees
at your workplace.
• Provide you with a written report summarizing findings.
175
• Under Specified circumstances, recommend you for rec-
ognition by OSHA and a one-year exclusion from gen-
eral schedule enforcement inspections.
• Maintain lists of local providers of safety and industrial
hygiene services.
The OnSite consultants will not:
• Issue citations or propose penalties for violations of
OSHA Standards.
• Report possible violations to OSHA enforcement staff.
• Guarantee that your workplace will “pass” an OSHA
inspection.
For more information on consultation programs and other
sources of help in your state, contact the Regional Admin-
istrator for the Occupational Safety and Health Adminis-
tration, U.S. Department of Labor, in your area.
176
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Regional Offices
Region I
(CT,” MA, ME, NH, RI, VT.")
133 Portland Street
1St Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Telephone: (617) 565-7164
Region II
(NJ, NY,” PR,” VI*)
201 Varick Street
ROOm 670
New York, NY 10014
Telephone: (212) 337-2378
Region III
(DC, DE, MD,” PA, VA,”WV)
Gateway Building, Suite 2100
3535 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Telephone: (215) 596-1201
Region IV
(AL, FL, GA, KY,” MS, NC,” SC,” TN*)
1375 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Suite 587
Atlanta, GA 30367
Telephone: (404) 347-3573
Region V
(IL, IN,” MI,” MN,” OH, WI)
230 South Dearborn Street
Room 3244
Chicago, IL 60604
Telephone: (312)353-2220
177
Region VI
(AR, LA, NM,” OK, TX)
525 Griffin Street
Room 602
Dallas, TX 75202
Telephone: (214) 767-4731
Region VII
(IA,” KS, MO, NE)
911 Walnut Street
Room 406
Kansas City, MO 64106
Telephone: (816) 426-5861
Region VIII
(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,” WY*)
Federal Building, Room 1576
1961 Stout Street
Denver, CO 80294
Telephone: (303) 844-3061
Region IX
(AZ,” CA,” HI,” NV*)
71 Stevenson Street
Room 415
San Francisco, CA 94105
Telephone: (415) 995-5672
Region X
(AK,” ID, OR,” WA*)
Federal Office Building
909 First Avenue
Room 6003
Seattle, WA 98.174
Telephone: (206) 442-5930
*These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job
safety and health programs (the Connecticut and New York plans
cover public employees only and OSHA currently is exercising con-
current private-sector Federal enforcement authority in California).
178
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