Working in a shipyard can expose workers to a variety of hazards. One hazard is poor air quality while working in confined or enclosed spaces. Poor air quality can occur as a result of several factors, such as stagnant air where there is insufficient air flow, or the accumulation of air contaminants resulting from a source pollutant (e.g., residual sewage or residual hazardous materials). When such conditions exist, the use of ventilation is necessary to remove contaminants (e.g., fumes, dust or vapors) and provide a healthful and safe working environment. This document provides employers...

This document is designed to serve two purposes: (1) to provide guidance on health protection to employers whose employees may be exposed to avian influenza (AI) viruses; and (2) to provide technical information (in appendices) about AI viruses and, in particular, about H5N1, an AI virus currently circulating in Asia, Europe and Africa that rarely causes disease in humans but when it does the case fatality rate is high. This document updates guidance on avian flu issued by OSHA in March 2004.

Congress created OSHA to assure safe and healthful conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education and compliance assistance. Under the OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers. On December 29, 1970, President Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) into law, establishing OSHA. Coupled with the efforts of employers, workers, safety and health professionals, unions and advocates, OSHA and its state partners have dramatically improved...

Cadmium, a naturally occurring element found in the earth's crust, was discovered in 1817, but was not used commercially until the end of the 19th century. This soft, silver-white metal was first used in paint pigments and as a substitute for tin in World War I. Today, about three-fourths of cadmium is used as an electrode component in alkaline batteries, with the remainder used in pigments, coatings, and platings and as a stabilizer for plastics. Workers in many industries face potential exposure to cadmium. The potential for exposure is highest among workers in electroplating, metal...

Chemical Hazard Communication discusses how under the provisions of the Hazard Communications Standard, employers are responsible for informing employees of the hazards and the identities of workplace chemicals to which they are exposed. About 32 million workers work with and are potentially exposed to one or more chemical hazards. There are an estimated 650,000 existing chemical products, and hundreds of new ones being introduced annually. This poses a serious problem for exposed workers and their employers. Chemical exposure may cause or contribute to many serious health effects such as...

Combustible dusts are fine particles that present an explosion hazard when suspended in air under certain conditions. A dust explosion can cause catastrophic loss of life, injuries, and destruction of buildings. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) identified 281 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 that led to the deaths of 119 workers, injured 718, and extensively damaged numerous industrial facilities. More recently, additional incidents have occurred. On February 7, 2008, a sugar dust explosion and subsequent fire at a sugar refinery in Port Wentworth,...

The purpose of this guidance document is to help employers understand how to monitor the quality of the air in workplaces where ethylene oxide (EtO) is processed, used, or handled. Air monitoring is an important activity that can help alert employers when unsafe levels of EtO are present in the air so that they can take steps to reduce employee exposure. EtO can be used more safely if appropriate precautions are taken and if equipment is adequately designed and maintained. This document: Clarifies the different types of EtO exposure monitoring, Lists and explains the exposure levels used by...

Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Excavation and Trenching standard, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR), Part 1926.650, covers requirements for excavation and trenching operations. This booklet highlights key elements of the standard, shows ways to protect employees against cave-ins, and describes safe work practices for employees.

Many proactive initiatives undertaken by the foundry industry, including establishing ergonomic processes, incorporating ergonomic principles into new projects, and conducting facility walkthroughs to identify injury risks have resulted in a reduction in worker injuries and illnesses. Employees working in foundries are often exposed to ergonomics-related injury risks, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures, and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. The physically demanding tasks performed during...

OSHA's Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores provide practical recommendations to help grocery store employers and employees reduce the number and severity of injuries in their workplaces. Many of the workrelated injuries and illnesses experienced by grocery store workers are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as back injuries and sprains or strains that may develop from various factors, including lifting, repetitive motion disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, or injuries resulting from overexertion. MSDs may also be caused...