Preliminary FY-11 Standard Items Posted for Comments
August 19, 2009
The preliminary FY-11 Standard Items (SIs), SSRAC-responsible Standard Work Templates, and Appendix 4-E to the Joint Fleet Maintenance Manual (JFMM) Volume VII, Chapter 4, resulting from the 2009 SSRAC Meeting, have been posted on the SSRAC website for review and comment in accordance with SSRAC milestones. Visit http://www.sermc.surfor.navy.mil/ssrac1/whatsnew.htm and follow the links to view the items. If you do not see the files, please "refresh" your browser and try again.
Please note that only those items reviewed and/or changed at the 2009 SSRAC Meeting have been posted. Changes or additions are identified by showing added or changed verbiage in bold Italics. Deletions are identified by a vertical line in the right-hand margin beside the deletion. New or completely revised SIs are identified by a vertical line in the right-hand margin beside the ITEM NO, DATE, and CATEGORY lines. Note: An item with a 24 JUL 2009 date but no visible changes indicates that the item was reviewed but no changes were made.
These results are PRELIMINARY and are not intended for immediate distribution or invocation.
Please review these products carefully and provide any comments you may have NLT 19 SEP 2009, using the 2009 Preliminary Revision Comment Form (also available on the website). Comments should relate only to proposals considered at the 2009 SSRAC Meeting and the resulting actions.
NOTE: Comments relating to subjects that were not reviewed by the subcommittees at the 2009 SSRAC Meeting will be deferred for consideration at the 2010 SSRAC Meeting.
Please attach and e-mail forms to linda.mayle@navy.mil or ssrac@supship.navy.mil .
Linda D. Mayle
NAVSEA SSRAC Program Asst Coordinator
SERMC Standards Program Manager
Ph: 904-270-5593/904-270-5126 Ext. 3239
linda.mayle@navy.mil
2009 SSRAC Standard Item Change Log Posted
August 18, 2009
The 2009 SSRAC Change Proposal Log with Actions Taken is posted for your information This is the result of the recent SSRAC meeting that was held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
The Preliminary FY-11 products (Standard Items and Appendix 4-E) will be made available for review by August 20, 2009, in accordance with the SSRAC milestones.
If you have any questions, please contact Linda Mayle, NAVSEA SSRAC Program Assistant Cooridinator, SERMC Standards Program Manager, at (904) 270-5593 or (904) 270-5126 Extention 3239, or by email linda.mayle@navy.mil.
New UPDATE - 23rd Annual Golf Tournament is Full - Sponsorships Available
August 18, 2009
As of Wednesday (8/12), golfer slots are full, but Sponsorships are Still Available for the 23rd Annual VSRF Golf Tournament, which will be held Tuesday, August 18th at Bayville Golf Club. A Waiting List is being maintained for any cancellations. Join us at the beautiful and challenging Bayville in Virginia Beach, a short distance off Shore Dirve, where a spacious 268 acre, former dairy farm was transformed into a magnificent golf course - open to capricious winds and salt air of the Chesapeake Bay.
Torunament proceeds benefit the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation (VSRF), an IRS 501(c)(3) Educational Foundation - donations are tax deductible.
Tournament Schedule
- 10:00 - 12:30 Registration and Practice Range
- 11:00 Lunch
- 12:30 Shotgun Start
- "After Golf" Social - Prizes and Awards Presentation
- Beverage carts, photos, snacks, goody bags, raffle
Sponsorship Packages Available - Specifics can be found on the 2009 Golf Tournament Application Form below
- Platinum (8 GOLFERS) $5000
- Gold (4 GOLFERS) $2500
- Silver (2 GOLFERS) $1500
- Beverage Cart $ 750
- Hole Sponsor $ 500
- Longest Drive $ 400
- Closest-to-the-Pin $ 400
- Individual Golfers $ 250
The Golfer slots are full as of today (8/12)! We have plenty of sponsorships available, so don't miss ths marketing opportunity for your company. Please download the 2009 Golf Tournament Application .We are maintaining a Waiting List to fill any cancellations on a "First Come, First Served" basis.
TO REGISTER a SPONSORSHIP or get on the Waiting List, THE APPLICATION FORM MUST BE SENT TO LEIGH KENNEDY at lkennedy@earl-ind.com or faxed to 215-2547. Should you have any questions, please contact Leigh at 215-2550.
Amendment to Fix Navy Ship Repair Shortfall
August 03, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced today that he offered an amendment to the annual defense appropriations bill to increase funding for ship repair. Forbes’ amendment would remove $200 million from the research and development of the Presidential (VH-71) helicopter program and instead direct the funding towards the Navy’s ship repair account. The Navy has identified ship repair funds as its number two priority on a list of requests that did not get fully funded in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget.
“Without proper maintenance, our ships cannot last 30 years. And if our ships do not last 30 years, we will not reach the 313-ship Navy our country needs to adequately deal with growing threats and instability around the world. There is no reason why we should spend $200 million on this over-cost helicopter program when our Navy’s second most important priority has yet to be funded,” said Forbes.
The VH-71 Presidential Helicopter program is intended to provide 23 new presidential helicopters to replace the current fleet of 19. In its statement of policy on the annual defense bill, the Administration said, “If the final bill were to include funds that continue the existing VH-71 program, or would prejudge the plan to re-compete the Presidential helicopter program, the President’s senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.”
The bipartisan amendment was offered by Congressman Forbes, Congressman Solomon Ortiz (TX), Congressman Glenn Nye (VA), and Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA), and championed by Congressman Pete Sessions (TX). The amendment was rejected on Tuesday by the House Rules Committee. In order for amendments to be considered on the House Floor, they must be approved by the Rules Committee.
$200M Added to FY10 Defense Bill for Ship Repair
June 19, 2009
Annual Defense Policy Bill Clears Committee
Shipbuilding, Navy Transparency, and Veterans Benefits Key Issues for Readiness Ranking Member Forbes
Washington, D.C. – The Hampton Roads region of Virginia stands poised to benefit from the work of Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) as the House Armed Services Committee completed its consideration of the annual defense policy bill last night. During the proceedings, Forbes, who is the Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, successfully pushed for a measure to compel the Defense department to produce an annual shipbuilding report. Forbes’ position - the minority party’s equivalent of Chairman – also left him well-positioned to strengthen the national defense components critical to economic stability in Hampton Roads.
“For our region, defense growth is economic growth. Hampton Roads supports approximately one third of our naval fleet and one fourth of its sailors and aircraft and, as a result, the military pumps over $10 billion into the local economy annually,” Forbes said. “I’m pleased with the work done in Committee yesterday to strengthen our naval fleet.”
Specifically, Congressman Forbes:
* Worked for a $200 million addition to ship repair funding to cover half of the Navy's 2010 Unfunded Requirements;
* Introduced an amendment that passed to study cost impacts of stretching carrier construction from 4 years to 5 years;
* Supported amendment to prohibit Mayport dredging before carrier homebasing is decided in the Quadrennial Defense Review;
* Supported $18.1 million for Naval Station Norfolk as proposed in the President’s Budget;
* Worked for a $20 million funding increase for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative to assist the Department in purchasing conservancy easements to protect encroachment that could threaten the longevity of OLF Fentress or NAS Oceana; and
* Supported full funding for a Virginia Class Submarine in addition to seven other ships.
Congressman Forbes also supported a provision which would provide funding for concurrent receipt, elimination of the SBP/DIC offset, and authorization of TRICARE coverage for Reserve Component retirees under the age of 60 upon receipt of retired pay, commonly referred to as the “gray area”.
“The history of our government is marred with examples of broken promises. Retired pay is earned over the course of a career; disability pay is compensation for a loss as a result of service. One should not offset the other. Yesterday we took another critical step in correcting this failure,” Forbes said.
In addition, Forbes personally worked for a $65 million increase for Impact Aid, which provides funding for schools impacted by BRAC and he supported a 3.4% pay raise for active duty military families, which was 0.5% higher than the President requested.
OSHA Evaluating VPP (Voluntary Protection Programs)
June 18, 2009
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced that it will address problems identified in its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) in response to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs: Improved Oversight and Controls Would Better Ensure Program Quality. The report recommends improved oversight and additional controls to ensure participating companies maintain effective workplace safety and health management systems.
OSHA also has announced that it will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its VPP and Alliance Program to determine how the agency should best allocate its resources among cooperative programs, enforcement and the agency’s other activities.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab said he agrees with recommendations made in the GAO report. GAO’s analysis recommended that OSHA strengthen the program’s oversight activity, documentation and other aspects of program operations and impact to ensure consistency and adherence to existing OSHA policies and procedures. VPP participation encompasses more than 2,200 worksites covering more than 800,000 workers.
“We will thoroughly review the VPP and Alliance Program to determine their effectiveness as well as review the programs’ roles in helping the agency promote the safety and health of America’s workers,” said Barab.
He noted that OSHA had not adequately addressed the findings of the GAO’s 2004 report, OSHA’s Voluntary Compliance Strategies Show Promising Results, But Should Be Fully Evaluated Before They Are Expanded. “The report noted that OSHA had not fully evaluated the effectiveness of its cooperative programs and was therefore ‘limited in its ability to make a sound decision about how best to allocate its resources,’” said Barab. “Our evaluation of these programs in the context of OSHA’s limited resources will help ensure that OSHA will be able to reprioritize these resources in the most effective manner.”
To address the most recent GAO report’s findings and recommendations about the VPP, OSHA will review and address problems including program management and oversight policies and procedures; documentation policy for actions taken in response to fatalities and serious injuries at VPP sites; and goals and performance measures for the VPP and internal OSHA controls that ensure consistent compliance with VPP policies by the agency’s regional offices.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA’s role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
MARINE SAFETY ALERT - COMPACT FLORESCENT LIGHTS
June 17, 2009
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Alert concerning Compact Florescent Lights and interference with certain communications systems. The
CFL Safety Alert is available here.
Anti-War Protest Activity in Hampton Roads - June 22 - 26
June 17, 2009
The following inforation was received from the U.S. Army at Fort Eustis and is posted for your information and action as appropriate:
The Catholic Worker Movement in Norfolk is planning an anti-war walking protest in Hampton Roads 22-26 Jun 09. The group plans to begin protesting at Camp Peary and work their way down the Peninsula, into Suffolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and end in Norfolk. The initial list of protest locations/days is as follows:
DAY 1 (June 22)
Camp Peary
NWS Yorktown
Fort Eustis
DAY 2 (June 23)
Langley AFB
NGNN Newport News (shipyard)
DAY 3 (June 24)
DoD Contractor Facilities in North Suffolk
JFCOM Facility in North Suffolk
NNSY Portsmouth
DAY 4 (June 25)
Fort Story
NAS Oceana
Dam Neck Annex
DAY 5 (June 26)
NAB Little Creek
NAVSTA Norfolk
The group plans to conduct some form of anti-war vigil in front of all of the above facilities. The number of individuals participating is currently unknown. However, this protest activity has the potential to affect every DoD facility in the region.
The Catholic Workers have a history of military protests and members of this organization have been arrested several times, most recently at NAS Oceana last fall.
Although these types of demonstrations are generally peaceful or nonviolent, they are assessed to present a potential domestic Force Protection issue. While the protests staged by anti-war and anti-military groups/organizations are legal, the controversial nature of the protests tends to invoke counter protests and creates a hostile environment that could easily evolve into violence.
There is generally an overwhelming support provided to the US military in the local community; however the potential exists for a spontaneous, unprovoked attack against either the demonstrators or pro-US Military persons.
Please inform your Soldiers, civilians, and family members of the potential for protests. Instruct them to avoid these events and not to interact with these individuals in any way. If they do come into contact with these protesters and are harassed or assaulted in any way, they should immediately report the incident to the Military Police or local police. The single best preventive measure is to AVOID the areas where anti-war and/or similar protests are projected to or are actually taking place. If you witness a suspicious incident in your community, at work, or while commuting you should report it to Law Enforcement immediately.
Ensure that personnel are advised that the practice of OPSEC is critical in protecting the integrity of the operations and missions, and as a result protects the lives of the Soldiers, family members, and community.
House Panel to Discuss Anti-Fouling Hull Paint
June 08, 2009
A House Transportation and Infrastructure panel this week will discuss regulating anti-fouling paint, a material that prevents algae and barnacles from growing on ships' hulls but that can be toxic to marine life.
The Senate in September ratified an international treaty banning the use of harmful chemicals in anti-fouling paints, but Congress has yet to pass legislation that would allow U.S. regulators to enforce the provision.
Stephen Johnson, U.S. EPA administrator under the Bush administration, sent a legislative proposal on the matter to Congress in February 2008. The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on Wednesday will review the proposal and ensure it aligns with the views of the Obama administration, a House Democratic aide said.
The hearing will also "address the lessons learned from the past and how [the treaty] will address the safety of hull paints in the future," according to the committee.
Officials from EPA and the Coast Guard -- the agencies that would enforce the provision -- have been invited to testify.
The accumulation of mollusks and algae on ships' hulls can have significant economic impacts, slowing vessels down and increasing their fuel consumption.
Anti-fouling paints contain pesticides that prevent the organisms from latching on, but the metallic compounds in many of the paints linger in the water, damaging the environment, killing other sealife and possibly entering the food chain, according to the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency that initiated the treaty.
One of the most popular anti-fouling paints contains the compound tributyltin, which has been shown to cause deformities in oysters and sex changes in whelks. The treaty prohibits the use of the compound and mandates the removal of the paints from hulls.
Ships may use alternative paints that do not contain the compound, or slippery, biocide-free nonstick coatings that prevent fouling and make the hull easier to clean when fouling occurs, IMO said.
Schedule: The hearing is Wednesday, June 10, at 2 p.m. in 2167 Rayburn.
Witnesses: TBA.
OHSA Shipyard Industry Standards Booklet
June 04, 2009
OSHA News Release
May 26, 2009
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999
WASHINGTON -- Fire Protection in Shipyard Employment, contamination issues related to Hexavalent Chromium and Employer Payment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are three additions to the Shipyard Industry Standards, a revised guidance document recently published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that provides employers and workers with an overview of all safety and health standards associated with the shipyard industry.
The standard's Fire Protection in Shipyard Employment subpart includes sections on implementing a fire safety plan, fire watches and fire response. The payment for personal protective equipment section advises employers of their obligation to provide PPE for workers at no cost to them. Hexavalent chromium has been added to the list of air contaminants whose concentrations should not exceed stated exposure levels.
"The Maritime Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health recommended that OSHA update and republish the shipyard and longshoring industry digests," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "The revised document is now up-to-date with current standards and will continue to serve as another resource for protecting the safety and health of shipyard workers."
Shipyard Industry Standards revises the existing Shipyard Industry Digest and incorporates new shipyard employment requirements that have been developed and finalized since the booklet was last published in 1998. It lists the guidelines for safety and health programs in the industry and incorporates topics such as management commitment; employee participation; hazard identification, assessment and control; and program evaluation.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to assure safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.