Subpart K
Yes — Subpart K applies to ship repairing and shipbuilding activities in shipyard employment. The standard explicitly states that "The standards contained in this subpart shall apply to ship repairing and shipbuilding," so portable unfired pressure vessels, drums, and containers used in those activities fall under this subpart's scope (1915.171).
No — Subpart K does not apply to shipbreaking. The rule plainly says the standards in this subpart "shall not apply to shipbreaking," so equipment and operations that are part of shipbreaking are excluded from this subpart (1915.171).
No — Subpart K is limited to portable, unfired pressure vessels, drums, and containers other than ship's equipment. The subpart title and scope distinguish these items from ship's equipment, so equipment considered part of the ship is excluded from this subpart (1915.171).
Yes — If the portable unfired pressure vessel is used in ship repairing or shipbuilding within shipyard employment, it is covered by Subpart K. The scope applies to ship repairing and shipbuilding activities, so portable vessels used in those operations fall under this subpart's standards (1915.171).
Subpart K applies to the ship repairing and shipbuilding parts of the work but does not apply to shipbreaking activities. When both types of work occur, the requirements of this subpart govern the ship repair/building operations, while shipbreaking operations remain outside this subpart's scope (1915.171). Employers should segregate or clearly identify work areas and ensure they apply the correct standards to each activity.
No — Containers used exclusively in shipbreaking operations are not covered by Subpart K because the standard explicitly excludes shipbreaking from the subpart's scope (1915.171). If those containers are instead used in ship repair or shipbuilding activities, then Subpart K would apply.
The employer is responsible for ensuring compliance with Subpart K for ship repairing and shipbuilding activities in the shipyard. Part 1915 places duties on the employer, and employer responsibility for implementing safety requirements (including those carried out by competent persons) is described in Part 1915 and clarified by OSHA guidance on competent persons in shipyards (1915.171 and OSHA letter on competent person requirements in shipyards at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2016-04-18).
Yes — the regulatory coverage differs: hazards in shipbuilding and ship repairing are governed by this subpart, while similar hazards in shipbreaking are not covered by this specific subpart. Employers conducting shipbreaking must look to other applicable OSHA standards or guidance for compliance because Subpart K explicitly excludes shipbreaking (1915.171).
No — exclusion from this specific subpart does not mean OSHA has no requirements for shipbreaking; it only means Subpart K does not apply. Employers still must follow other applicable OSHA standards and state-plan requirements, and they may adopt additional safety measures beyond OSHA's minimums (1915.171 and OSHA guidance noting that OSHA standards set minimum requirements and employers may adopt more stringent measures, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-06-19).
It depends on whether the item remains "ship's equipment" or is being used as a portable vessel, drum, or container in ship repair/building operations. Subpart K excludes ship's equipment, but portable devices used in ship repairing or shipbuilding fall under this subpart. Employers should evaluate the item's status (ship's equipment vs. portable shop equipment) and apply Subpart K where the item functions as a portable unfired pressure vessel, drum, or container in ship repair/building (1915.171).
Employers should consult the rest of Part 1915 for shipyard employment rules that apply to ship repairing and shipbuilding. The Part 1915 main index gathers all shipyard standards, including those that work together with Subpart K (Part 1915 index and 1915.171).
State-plan jurisdictions must have standards that are at least as effective as Federal OSHA standards, but the specific form and wording can differ. The exclusion in Federal Subpart K applies to federal Part 1915; State Plans should be consulted for their local regulations. See the Part 1915 index for federal requirements (Part 1915 index) and note that State Plans may implement equivalent or more protective rules.