Shipyard & Marine Workers

Shipbuilding and ship repair have their own OSHA standards (29 CFR 1915). Workers face confined and enclosed spaces, hot work around fuel residues, heavy lifts and falls into holds and drydocks.

• Maritime

Top hazards

• Confined and enclosed spaces with toxic, flammable or oxygen-deficient atmospheres
• Fires and explosions during hot work on tanks and spaces that held fuel
• Falls into holds, drydocks and from staging
• Crane and rigging hazards
• Drowning
• Welding fumes, noise, asbestos and lead on older vessels

Key practices

• Spaces must be tested and certified before entry and hot work. A Marine Chemist or shipyard competent person issues certificates depending on the space and work.
• Follow posted certificates and re-test as conditions change.
• Use fall protection and guardrails around openings and dock edges.
• Wear life jackets when working near the water’s edge as required.
• Use fire watches for hot work.

Gas-free certificates

Before workers enter or do hot work in tanks, voids and other spaces on a vessel, the space must be tested. A Marine Chemist issues certificates for many hot work and fuel-space jobs; a trained shipyard competent person tests and certifies other spaces. Common designations include:

• Safe for Workers: enough oxygen and no toxic levels, so people can enter.
• Safe for Hot Work: also free of flammable concentrations, so welding and cutting can proceed.
• Not Safe for Workers / Not Safe for Hot Work: keep out, or no hot work.

Read the posted certificate before entry, and get the space re-tested when conditions change, such as after a break, when ventilation stops, or when new work starts.

Drydocks and staging

• Guard dock edges, hatch openings and holds, and use fall protection where guardrails can’t be used.
• Staging (scaffolding) along a hull must be inspected and built to the rules.
• Watch for overhead work and cranes moving material over the dock.

Older vessels

Ships built before the 1980s may contain asbestos insulation, lead paint and PCBs. Ship breaking and repair crews need testing, controls and respiratory protection. See Asbestos and Lead.

Before entering a space

• Certificate posted and current for this space and this work
• Ventilation running
• Personal gas monitor on
• Lighting and safe access in place
• Attendant or fire watch assigned as required
• Rescue plan known

Last updated: October 1, 2026