1915 Subpart E
Planking must be laid whenever firebox floors present tripping hazards while work is being done inside the boiler. Under 1915.77(b), if exposed tubing or missing/removed refractory create a tripping hazard, the employer must provide sufficient planking to give employees safe footing for the duration of the work inside the boiler.
Employees working more than 5 feet above a solid surface must use either compliant scaffolds or sloping ladders, or be protected by safety belts and lifelines that meet the shipyard standards. 1915.77(c) requires scaffolds or sloping ladders that meet the subpart's requirements, or protection by safety belts and lifelines in accordance with 1915.159 and 1915.160.
No—employees who are visually restricted by blasting hoods, welding helmets, or burning goggles must work from scaffolds, with narrow exceptions. 1915.77(c) requires visually restricted employees to use scaffolds, except for initial and final welding or burning operations to start or finish a job or similar nonrepetitive, brief tasks (for example, erecting or dismantling hung scaffolding). OSHA's interpretation about protective devices and when special PPE restricts vision supports using appropriate platforms for tasks that limit sight (see Shipyard eye and face protection).
A ladder may be used only for brief, nonrepetitive initial or final welding or burning operations to start or complete a job. 1915.77(c) allows employees wearing vision-restricting gear to work from ladders only for short-duration tasks such as the first and last welds to erect or dismantle hung scaffolding, but routine or repetitive welding while vision is restricted must be done from scaffolds.
Platforms in restricted quarters must be at least 20 inches wide and meet the platform requirements of 1915.71(i)(1). 1915.77(d) specifies that work platforms at least 20 inches wide shall be used in confined or congested spaces, and they must comply with 1915.71(i)(1). Backrails may be omitted only if bulkheading, boilers, machinery, or piping provide proper fall protection.
Backrails can be omitted only if surrounding structures provide adequate protection against falling. 1915.77(d) allows omission of backrails when bulkheading, boilers, machinery units, or piping afford proper protection; otherwise, platforms must meet 1915.71(i)(1) requirements including guarding where needed.
Employees boarding, leaving, or working from small boats or floats must wear personal flotation devices that meet the shipyard PFD standard in 1915.158(a). 1915.77(e) requires PFDs meeting the specifications in 1915.158(a). Ensure the PFD is appropriate for the activity and properly fitted and maintained.
Employers must ensure safety belts and lifelines meet the shipyard standards specified in 1915.159 and 1915.160. 1915.77(c) requires protection by safety belts and lifelines "meeting the requirements of 1915.159 and 1915.160," so employers should review 1915.159 and 1915.160 for specific construction, inspection, attachment, and use criteria.
A qualified "competent person" may recognize and evaluate hazards and specify the necessary protections and precautions. OSHA's shipyard standards define a competent person and explain that the competent person must be able to recognize and evaluate hazardous conditions and specify protections; see the OSHA interpretation on Competent person requirements in shipyards and the definitions in Part 1915 (see 1915). Employers must ensure the competent person has the necessary knowledge to set protective measures even when there is no OSHA PEL.
No—paragraphs (b) through (d) do not apply to shipbreaking; only paragraph (e) applies to shipbreaking operations. 1915.77(a) states that (b)–(d) apply to ship repairing and shipbuilding but not to shipbreaking, while (e) applies to shipbuilding, ship repairing, and shipbreaking.
The employer must limit ladder use to only the brief, nonrepetitive tasks allowed by the standard and otherwise provide scaffolds or compliant fall protection. 1915.77(c) permits ladder use for initial and final welding or burning operations and similar short-duration jobs, but requires scaffolds for other work when employees' vision is restricted; employers should ensure work is planned so that routine tasks use scaffolds or fall protection in line with 1915.159 and 1915.160.