TWIC - Online Status Checks Available
March 11, 2008
Effective today, Lockheed Martin is pleased to announce Transportation Workers now have the ability to perform online, self-service status checks of their TWIC enrollment processing and card availability. Furthermore, if their card is ready for pick up, they can immediately schedule a TWIC card pickup/activation appointment through the same online feature.
To check the status of card availability and schedule a pickup appointment, please go to the TWIC website at http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov and click on the ‘Check Card Status/Schedule Pickup’ link located on the left margin. Please note that Activation/Pickup appointments can only be scheduled once the card status shows 'Ready for Pickup: Yes". For those without internet access, Pickup Appointments can also be scheduled by calling the TWIC Help Desk at 1-866-DHS-TWIC once your automated notification is received. Lockheed Martin will also continue to service walk-in activations/pickups at enrollment centers during normal business hours.
Note that Workers who have enrolled through on-site mobile locations should schedule their pick up appointments through the mobile site coordinator once they have been notified their card is ready for pickup.
State Job Standards Informaiton on OSHA Website
March 10, 2008
There is a new resource on OSHA’s Web site that provides enhanced information on standards and directives issued by states that operate their own OSHA-approved job safety and health programs. There are 22 states and territories, Including Virginia, operating complete state plans (covering both the private sector and state and local government employees) and four that cover public employees only.
These states must adopt standards that are at least as effective as comparable federal standards. Most states adopt standards identical to the federal ones. The new State Plan Standards and Policies/Directives page includes summary charts on each state plan’s response to every new OSHA standard and directive issued since June 2006. The charts show which states have adopted identical standards or procedures and which have adopted something different (and where to find the different state document.) New charts will be added approximately six months after the issuance of a new federal standard or directive.
Temporary Workers Suffer More Injuries - NIOSH Study Shows
February 29, 2008
Part-time, temporary or contract workers are at a higher risk of occupational injuries and illnesses than other workers, according to a new study conducted by NIOSH researchers.
"
Contingent Workers and Contingent Health," published in the
Journal of the American Medical Association, highlights several areas in which temporary workers are more prone to injuries:
- Fatal occupational injuries are twice that among the self-employed.
- 19 percent of day laborers reported work-related injuries, compared with less than 5 percent of workers in all private industries.
- Contract coal miners with at least 15 years of tenure had more evidence of black lung than noncontract coal mine workers.
Researchers speculated that personal health could be a factor in why contingent workers are more likely to become injured or ill on the job, as the unpredictability of job schedules may contribute to poor eating and exercise habits. Additionally, contingent workers were more likely to have lower incomes and fewer benefits, according to NIOSH.
MARAD Small Shipyard Assistance Program Application Deadline 2/25/08
February 20, 2008
MARAD - Assistance to Small Shipyard Grant Program Amended
The US Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued an amendment to its earlier announcement of the establishment of a new grant program to provide assistance to small shipyards. The amendment clarifies the scope of the program and explains that, if the small shipyard does not have audited financial statements, it may submit financial statements compiled by an independent Certified Public Accountant. 73 Fed. Reg. 8397 (February 13, 2008).
You are encouraged to review the program and can find the application for the assistance grant at http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=40743. The closing date for applications is Monday, February 25, 2008.
OSHA National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Silica
February 19, 2008
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) to target worksites where employees are at risk for developing
silicosis.
"Exposure to silica threatens nearly two million American employees annually," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "Under this program, OSHA will work diligently to maximize the protection of employees and eliminate workplace exposures to silica-related hazards."
The NEP compliance directive builds on policies and procedures instituted in the 1996 Special Emphasis Program and includes an updated list of industries commonly known to have overexposures to silica; detailed information on potential hazards linked to silica and about current research regarding silica exposure hazards; guidance on calculating the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for dust containing respirable crystalline silica in the construction and maritime industries; and guidance on conducting silica-related inspections.
Two additional elements included in the directive are an evaluation procedure for recording reductions of employee exposures to silica, as well as information on outreach programs, partnerships and alliances with employers to share resources and training to reduce employee exposures.
Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by breathing in a large amount of crystalline silica. Visit
www.osha.gov for more information on hazard recognition and possible solutions to silica exposure.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit
www.osha.gov.
2008 UPDATED (2/7) National Ship Repair Industry Conferece
February 19, 2008
UPDATE - Register Today to Ensure a Slot
Make your plans now to attend the 2008 National Ship Repair Industry Conference in Washington DC. This year’s event will be held February 26 – 28 at the Crystal City Marriott. The conference is being organized by the Shipbuilders Council of America, in concert with VSRA and the other regional ship repair associations. All reserved Marriott rooms have been reserved (2/7). Due to the large number of room reservations, additional rooms have been reserved at the Sheraton Hotel in Crystal City. The hotel is conveniently located across the street from the Crystal City Marriott. Discounted rates for the Sheraton are closed (2/7). Make your reservations directly with the Sheraton [(703) 486-1111].
The registration fee is $320 for VSRA and other SRA members, $352 for non-SRA members. More details on registration can be found at the bottom of this article. The schedule is as follows:
Feb 26 at the Crystal City Marriott
1800-2000 Registration and cocktail reception hosted by the Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association (RDML McManamon, SEA21, will attend)
Feb 27 on Capital Hill
0700-0800 Working breakfast at Marriott hosted by the Jacksonville Ship Repair Association
0700-0800 Budget background briefing by RADM Dick Camacho (ret)
0900-1130 Meetings with members of the House on the House side
0930 - Rep Gene Taylor MS (accepted)
1000 - Rep Neil Abercrombie HI (accepted)
1130 - Rep Duncan Hunter CA (accepted)
1200 - Rep Randy Forbes VA (accept)
1230 - Rep Norm Dicks WA (accepted)
1300-1400 Lunch on the Senate side
1400-1700 Meetings with members of the Senate
1415 - Sen Gordon Smith OR (accepted)
TBD - Sen Inouye HI (tentative)
TBD - Sen Stevens AK (tentative)
TBD - Sen Jim Webb VA (tentative)
TBD - Sen Bill Nelson or Sen Mel Martinez FL (tentative)
1800-2000 Capital Hill cocktail reception hosted by the Virginia Ship Repair Association (Washington Room, Honeywell – adjacent to the Capitol)
Feb 28 at the Crystal City Marriott
0700-0800 Breakfast at CCM hosted by the Jacksonville Ship Repair Association
0900-1500 Meetings with executives of the Department of the Navy. Working lunch.
Accepted: Acting Sec Thackrah, VADM McCullough, RDML Campbell (OPNAV N43B), Mr. Weyman (for RDML McManamon), Mr. Guiterrez (for RDML Orzalli), Mr. James (for RAMD Hugel)
Tentative/TBD: CNO (Has hearing that day), VADM Sullivan
Unable to Attend: SECNAV (hearing that day), Ms. Stiller, RADM Reily, RADM Brooks (travel with ADM Greenert)
To register, complete the NSRIC 08 Registration Form and send it to SCA as indicated on the form. If you have any questions regarding the conference, please call Brian Elliott at SCA, (202) 347-5462.
New OSHA Maritime Industy Products Posted
February 14, 2008
The following are two OSHA maritime industry-related products now available on OSHA's Web site. A link is also provided under 'Online Resources' at SCA's Web site:
- OSHA Products, Information and Guidance for the Longshoring and Marine Terminal Industries. OSHA, (2007, November), 2 pages.
- OSHA Products, Information and Guidance for the Shipyard Employment Industry. OSHA, (2007, November), 2 pages.
NOTE: The documents are available to view/download on the OSHA Public Page at http://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/compliance/compliance.html. The products are available in two formats: .html (electronically linked to reference materials); or .PDF (a two page flyer that is easy to handout at meetings, use for toolbox talks, etc.).
OSHA MACOSH Meeting Scheduled March 18-20
February 14, 2008
*NOTICE - OSHA Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) Meeting*
The next MACOSH meeting has been scheduled for March 18 to 20, 2008 in Houston, TX.
DATES: On Tuesday, March 18, 2008, the Shipyards, Longshoring, and Cranes and Falls workgroups will meet. On Wednesday, March 19, 2008, the Health and Outreach and Safety Culture workgroups will meet. MACOSH will meet on Thursday, March 20, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 5 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The Committee and workgroups will meet at the Wyndham Greenspoint Hotel, 12400 Greenspoint Drive, Houston, TX 77060. For general information about MACOSH and this meeting, contact: Joseph Daddura, Office of Maritime, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N– 3609, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; phone: (202) 693–2067.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All MACOSH meetings and workgroup meetings are open to the public. All interested persons are invited to attend the MACOSH and workgroup meetings at the times and places listed above. Each workgroup may discuss one or more of the topics listed for that workgroup as time permits. The meeting times for each workgroup are approximate and subject to change without advance notice.
- The Shipyards workgroup will meet on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in Salon 2. Discussions may include spray paint standards and hot work on coatings, the shipbreaking guidance document, and electrical standards.
- The Longshoring workgroup will meet on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, from 10:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. in Salon 2. Discussions may include the traffic safety in marine terminals guidance document, the roll-on roll-off cargo guidance document, the International Maritime Organization’s initiative on cargo-lashing safety, and the flat-rack guidance document.
- The Cranes and Falls workgroup will meet on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, from 2:15 p.m. until 3:15 p.m. in Salon 2. Discussions may include working over water from aerial work platforms, working under a suspended load, and the barge safety guidance document.
- The Health workgroup will meet on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in Salon 3. Discussions will include radiation exposure in marine terminals.
- The Outreach and Safety Culture workgroup will meet on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, from 10:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. in Salon 3. Discussions may include leading indicators, substance abuse, and the longshoring and shipyard pocket guides.
- MACOSH agenda: The agenda will include: an OSHA activities update, reports from each workgroup, and a review of the minutes from the previous meeting.
More details on the history and activities of MACOSH can be found at http://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/macosh/index.html.