Ethylene oxide requirements

Yes, shipyard employers must follow the same requirements because the ethylene oxide rule for shipyard employment is identical to the general industry rule. See 1915.1047 which states the requirements applicable to shipyard employment are identical to those set forth at 1910.1047.

Read the general industry ethylene oxide standard because the shipyard standard is identical; the full regulatory text is at 1910.1047 and the shipyard section points to it at 1915.1047.

Yes — shipyard employers must perform the same exposure monitoring and medical surveillance that the general industry standard requires. The shipyard rule expressly states it is identical to 1910.1047, so all monitoring and medical requirements in that standard apply to shipyard employees covered by 1915.1047.

State-plan states must enforce standards that are at least as effective as federal OSHA, so the applicable State plan standard controls for workplace enforcement. Employers in State-plan states should follow the State plan’s ethylene oxide requirements; where needed, consult both the federal text at 1910.1047 and your State plan authority as referenced in 1915.1047.

No — the substantive ethylene oxide requirements do not change just because the work is shipboard; shipyard employers must meet the same provisions set out in the general industry standard. The shipyard rule states requirements are identical to 1910.1047, so employers must apply those requirements while also complying with any other shipyard-specific rules that may affect how those requirements are implemented aboard a vessel; see 1915.1047.

A shipyard safety manager should use the general industry standard text and OSHA interpretations for guidance because the shipyard standard is identical to the general industry rule. Start with 1910.1047 and refer to OSHA letters of interpretation and enforcement directions as appropriate; the shipyard section itself points you to the general industry standard at 1915.1047.

No — the shipyard standard does not add obligations beyond the general industry rule because it states the requirements applicable to shipyard employment are identical to those in 1910.1047. Employers must meet every requirement in that general industry standard when it applies to shipyard work under 1915.1047.

Employers can request an OSHA interpretation for specific situations and should consult the general industry standard text because the shipyard standard is identical; see 1910.1047 and the shipyard pointer at 1915.1047. For state-specific enforcement or guidance, contact your OSHA Regional Office or State plan agency as applicable.

Either is acceptable but citing the general industry standard ensures clarity because the shipyard rule points to it as identical. You can reference 1915.1047 to show the rule applies to shipyards and then cite the specific requirements in 1910.1047 for the particular obligation being corrected.

Yes — required recordkeeping, training, and other employer duties in the general industry ethylene oxide standard apply to shipboard work because 1915.1047 makes the shipyard requirements identical to 1910.1047. Employers must therefore implement the training and records programs specified in the general industry standard for shipyard employees covered by the rule.

No — compliance with other OSHA standards does not automatically satisfy the ethylene oxide standard; employers must meet the specific provisions of 1910.1047 as applied to shipyard work via 1915.1047. If another standard overlaps, employers must ensure they satisfy all specific requirements of each applicable standard.

Document the applicability by referencing the shipyard rule and the general industry standard together in your safety program and records: note that 1915.1047 makes the shipyard requirements identical to 1910.1047, then show which operations, exposure monitoring results, training records, and medical surveillance records demonstrate compliance with the specific provisions of 1910.1047.

When crewmembers perform shipyard employment tasks covered by 1915.1047, they are subject to the same ethylene oxide requirements as other shipyard workers, because the provision makes shipyard requirements identical to 1910.1047; exceptions for unique military or crewmember status may exist and should be evaluated against applicable statutes and State-plan rules.

Follow cross-references in the general industry ethylene oxide standard and consult other OSHA standards as needed; begin with 1910.1047 and use the shipyard pointer at 1915.1047 to confirm applicability. For example, you may need to consult general respiratory protection, recordkeeping, or hazard communication provisions located elsewhere in Part 1910.