OSHA Released Clarification to Sub-Part S
October 29, 2008
Today OSHA announced revisions and clarifications to the electrical installation standard (Subpart S) for general industry, previously published on February 14, 2007. OSHA’s notice clarifies the scope of one provision in particular by addressing questions raised by stakeholders, specifically the Maritime Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH).
Background: Since the Subpart S final rule was promulgated, the Agency has received questions regarding one provision, 29 CFR 1910.304(b)(3)(ii). At a MACOSH meeting on August 1, 2007, the group discussed the provision and several members expressed concern about both the extent of its application to shipyard employment and about how the Agency would interpret the rule. OSHA’s clarifications today are a direct consequence of these concerns.
As originally published, the introductory text to Sec.1910.304(b)(3)(ii) read as follows:
The following requirements apply to temporary wiring
installations that are used during maintenance, remodeling, or
repair of buildings, structures, or equipment or during similar
construction-like activities.
Concern was raised regarding the meaning of this provision. Specifically, the structure of the text of the provision the terms ``construction-like'' activities and ``temporary wiring installations.''
Both OSHA's final rule and Section 2-2.4.2 of the 2000 edition of NFPA 70E, which the Agency relied on, are intended to apply to temporary wiring installations used during the performance of construction-like activities. However, from questions the Agency received about this provision, the intent of the rule may not have be readily apparent from the text.
Changes:
--The Agency removed "construction" from the list of activities specifically mentioned in NFPA 70E and changed ``similar activities'' to ``similar construction-like activities.''
The revised introductory text to Sec.1910.304(b)(3)(ii) now reads:
The following requirements apply to temporary wiring
installations that are used during construction-like activities,
including certain maintenance, remodeling, or repair activities,
involving buildings, structures or equipment. [Emphasis added.]
NOTE: Ship building and ship repair would be considered to meet the definition of “construction-like activities” because of the scale and complexity of the work; nevertheless, the hazards associated with this work are specifically covered by OSHA's shipyard employment standards. However, the shipyard standards do not protect employees from all of the hazards addressed by paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of Sec.1910.304; in such instances, this paragraph applies to hazards not covered by the shipyard standards, as outlined in Sec. 1910.5(c). (The application of subpart S to shipyard employment is discussed in more detail in the preamble to the final rule, 72 FR 7141.)
For additional explanation and review of further clarifications please read Sub-Part S Clarification announcement from the Federal Register.
OSHA Compliance Assistnace Products
October 28, 2008
Round-up: OSHA Products
(FY 2008: October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008)
OSHA issued the following new or updated compliance assistance products in FY 2008. For more information, see the New Compliance Assistance Products page on the OSHA Compliance Assistance Web page at www.osha.gov/complianceassistance.
Publications Page
- Redesigned Publications Page. This page allows users to find OSHA publications in several ways, including by the publication number or keyword, from an alphabetical listing, by industry or topic, and by publication type.
eTools
Safety and Health Topics Pages
Other Web Pages
Fact Sheets
Publications and Guidance Documents
New Shipyard Green House Gas Inventory Tool Issued
October 17, 2008
EPA has issued a revised Green House Gas (GHG) Shipyard Inventory Tool. It has been revised based on comments received by EPA. The Summary of Comments on the draft version indicates the action taken by EPA.
The purpose of this Shipyard GHG Inventory Tool v2.1 is to give each shipyard a customized credible tool to measure their GHG emissions. I hope that everyone can utilize this tool. It is vitally important that the industry take steps to gain an accurate depiction of its GHG emissions, especially in light of the fact that EPA was directed by Congress in the omnibus appropriations bill (passed Dec. 20, 2007) to create a mandatory GHG registry and increased talk of regulation at the local, state, and federal levels.
Remember to enable Macros when open the Tool. Doing so will remove the tabs and other excess Excel features. To return to the Excel environment, the user can click "Restore Excel Environment" from the "Tool Options" dropdown list. Using the tabs is much easier than the Excel environment.
SEA 21 Conducts MSMO Industry Day in Norfolk
October 16, 2008
Monday morning, August 25th, RDML Jim McManamon, SEA 21, and a team of NAVSEA executives were in Norfolk to deliver a briefing on the latest developments in the Multi-Ship/Multi-Option contracting process utilized by the Navy. About 120 ship repair industry leaders from all over the country traveled to Norfolk to participate.
The MSMO Industry Day Brief is now available for your review. Any questions should be directed to SEA 21.
New Solid Waste Definition Envourages Recycling
October 08, 2008
News for Release: Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Definition of Solid Waste Revised to Encourage Recycling
(Washington, D.C. – Oct. 7, 2008) A final rule under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act streamlines regulation of hazardous secondary materials when they are recycled by reclamation. EPA's regulation maintains strong protection of human health and the environment by limiting the streamlined requirements to specific, legitimate recycling activities.
"Removing barriers to legitimate recycling is good for business and the environment," said Susan Parker Bodine, assistant administrator for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "This rule will help conserve natural resources, save energy, and, reduce costs."
The rule excludes materials from the federal hazardous waste system that are:
· generated and legitimately reclaimed under the control of the generator;
· generated and transferred to another company for legitimate reclamation under specific conditions; or
· determined by EPA or an authorized state to be non-wastes on a case-by-case basis via a petition process.
The rule also contains a provision to determine which recycling activities are legitimate under the new exclusions and non-waste determinations. These exclusions are not available for materials that are considered inherently waste-like, used in a manner constituting disposal, or burned for energy recovery.
EPA estimates that about 5,600 facilities handling approximately 1.5 million tons of hazardous secondary materials annually may be impacted by this rule. The activities most affected are metals and solvent recycling. EPA estimates that the regulation will save approximately $95 million per year for the affected industries.
Safety and Health Injurt Prevention - Shipfitting
October 06, 2008
The latest OSHA Safety and Health Injury Prevention Sheets (SHIPS) on Shipfitting is available online. Please click the below link for details and to download the document.
http://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/sltc/ships/shipfitting/index.html
New eTool for Powered Industrial Trucks
October 03, 2008
The
Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklift) eTool is the latest Web-based training tool unveiled by OSHA. This eTool, which identifies forklifts commonly used in general industry, provides a review of potential hazards and a summary of key OSHA requirements and industry-recommended practices for forklift operations. It includes four modules examining the types of forklifts, safe operating practices, workplace conditions affecting operation, and operator training. OSHA offers other eTools on occupational safety and health topics on its Web site at
http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/index.html
NSRP Releases Hex Chrome Exposure Report
September 17, 2008
The Naval Shipbuilding Research Panel (NSRP) has released its
NSRP Hexavalent Chromium Exposures Report. This industry wide survey was collected from shipyard operations and should be of interest to all in the ship repair industry.
Preliminary FY-10 NAVSEA Standard Items and Appendix 4-E
September 16, 2008
The preliminary FY-10 NAVSEA Standard Items, SSRAC-responsible Standard Work Templates, and Appendix 4-E to the Joint Fleet Maintenance Manual (JFMM) Volume VII, Chapter 4, have been posted on the SSRAC web site 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, "refresh" your browser and try again. Please note thatthe new 009-01 Attachment A (FY 10) was inadvertantly left off the SSRAC website. Follow the link to obtain the new attachment.
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 01 AUG 2008 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 26 SEP 2008, using the 2008 SSRAC Preliminary Review Comment Form (also available on the web site).
NOTE: Comments relating to subjects that were not reviewed by the subcommittees at the 2008 SSRAC Meeting will be deferred for consideration at the 2009 SSRAC Meeting.
Please attach and e-mail forms to linda.mayle@navy.mil or ssrac@supship.navy.mil.
Linda D. Mayle
Asst NAVSEA SSRAC Coordinator
SERMC Business Office Code 1220/Standards Coordinator
Ph: 904-270-5593
FAX: 904-270-5729
linda.mayle@navy.mil