Trade News Release
September 14, 2006
Contact: Elaine Fraser
Phone: (202) 693-1999
OSHA Adds Fire Protection Module to Shipyard Employment eTool
WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today launched a new Fire Protection Module as part of its interactive Web-based training tool Shipyard Employment eTool.
The module and eTool are products of Alliances between OSHA and the American Shipbuilding Association, National Shipbuilding Research Program, and the Shipbuilders Council of America.
"This is a crucial addition to a very important resource that helps educate employers and employees on the steps they can take to ensure their safety in the event of a fire while performing shipyard work," said OSHA Administrator Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "The Fire Protection Module builds upon the viable information in the eTool that helps employees identify job-related hazards and learn about possible solutions."
The module focuses on the importance of protecting shipyard employees from fire hazards while conducting ship repair, shipbuilding, shipbreaking, barge cleaning and other work-related activities through implementing an effective fire protection plan. It is important that employees learn to recognize, respond and provide corrective action during a fire crisis, so the module also offers users access to training information on "fire watch" and "fire response" activities.
The eTool features additional modules describing the common hazards and potential solutions to those hazards associated with ship repair, shipbuilding, shipbreaking and barge cleaning.
OSHA's eTools are stand-alone, interactive, Web-based training tools on occupational safety and health topics. They are highly illustrated and utilize graphical menus. Some also use expert system modules, which enable the user to answer questions, and receive reliable advice on how OSHA regulations apply to their work site.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
###
