Toolbox Talk: Fire Protection in Shipyards

For years, the shipyard industry was regulated by the “General Duty Clause” when fire protection issues were noted in a shipyard. OSHA’s Subpart L (1910.155) exempted shipyard employment from coverage. This left enforcement for fire protection under the General Duty Clause. As it was, the existing OSHA fire protection standards did not adequately address the unique nature, technology and hazards of shipbuilding, ship repairing and ship breaking activities. That changed with the publication of the Fire Protection in Shipyard Employment standard in the Federal Register in September 2004. This Toolbox Talk provides an overview of this standard for the shipyard industry.