OSHA Instruction: 29 CFR Part 1915, Subpart I, Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Shipyard Employment

This instruction provides guidance to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) national, regional and area offices, and State Plan programs and federal agencies concerning OSHA's policy and procedures for implementing inspection programs to reduce injuries, illnesses and fatalities, and eliminate workplace hazards in shipyard employment through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). OSHA revised the shipyard employment safety standards addressing PPE in 1996 (61 F.R. 26321). The revised standards updated, reorganized and simplified shipyard employment PPE standards into a comprehensive framework that encompasses the ship repair, shipbuilding and shipbreaking industries. These 29 CFR Part 1915, Subpart I, PPE standards apply to all work in shipyard employment regardless of geographical location, but do not apply to construction operations in shipyards covered by 29 CFR Part 1926. On November 15, 2007, OSHA issued a final rule for Employer Payment for Personal Protective Equipment (72 F.R. 64341-64430) that applies identical rules to all industries regarding payment for PPE, including shipyard employment (29 CFR Part 1915). On September 9, 2009, OSHA issued a final rule, Updating OSHA Standards Based on National Consensus Standards; Personal Protective Equipment (74 F.R. 46350-46351), that applies to all industries. This instruction provides information and enforcement guidance to support OSHA's inspection efforts in shipyard employment and: Supports DOL's Strategic Plan Outcome Goal for increased emphasis on reducing workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Provides OSHA compliance officers with information about PPE selection and use in shipyard employment and in minimizing employee exposure to hazards. Supports the National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Shipbreaking, and the Site-Specific Targeting (SST) Program for the shipbuilding and ship repairing industries. This instruction has been revised and updated to include the following significant changes: Clarifies the PPE that employers must provide at no cost to their employees, when employers must pay for replacement PPE, and when employers are not required to pay for PPE. Clarifies the PPE payment requirements for PPE worn off the job site, for PPE that must remain at the job site, and for employee-owned PPE. Provides updates to consensus standards that were issued after the PPE for shipyard employment final rule (November 15, 2007) to recognize more recent editions of industry standards that PPE must meet as published in 74 F.R. 46350-46361 (September 9, 2009). Sets forth enforcement policies to reflect court decisions concerning PPE. Updates references and directives to include new documents and the current version of documents previously listed. Delivers available shipyard PPE safety and health information in a web-based format with electronic links to noted references.