OSHA Renews Alliance with ASA to Focus on Shipyard Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Shipbuilding Association (ASA) have renewed their Alliance that will reportedly continue to help protect workers by minimizing exposure to shipyard safety and health hazards.

“Continuing our work with ASA is invaluable in targeting one of the high-hazard industries in which we’re focusing our safety and health resources,” said Jonathan Snare, acting assistant secretary for OSHA. “We look forward to furthering our joint efforts to help reduce injuries and illnesses in shipyards.”

Through the OSHA and ASA Alliance renewal agreement, the organizations are reportedly continuing to help advance a culture of injury and illness prevention while sharing best practices and technical knowledge and promoting safe and healthful working conditions for shipyards. OSHA and ASA are working together to increase access for shipyard employees to safety and health information and outreach programs.

OSHA and ASA are distributing the information through print and electronic media, including OSHA’s and ASA’s Web sites. In addition, both organizations are working jointly with other maritime Alliances to provide information and expertise on several related projects, including OSHA’s Shipyard Employment eTool. The tool describes common hazards and possible solutions for tasks performed during ship repair, shipbuilding, shipbreaking and barge cleaning processes. Finally, ASA members are on the editorial board for the OSHA Assistance for the Maritime Industry Safety and Health Topics page.

ASA is the national trade association that represents America’s major shipbuilders. Collectively, ASA member shipyards employ more than 90 percent of all workers engaged in ship construction in the United States.