OSHA has released a newly revised directive as guidance for the marine cargo handling industry. The enforcement is aimed at eliminating their workplace hazards and includes requirements on updated personal protective equipment (PPE) and the safe operation of Vertical Tandem Lifts (VTL).

Some of the updates in the document include:

  • clarification that PPE that employers must provide at no cost to their workers, when employers must pay for replacement PPE, and when employers are not required to pay for PPE;
  • information and guidance on VTLs, both on the regulations and the recent court ruling on a challenge by industry to those regulations;
  • changes to the Marine Terminals and Safety and Health Regulations for Longshoring provisions based on Phase III of the Standards Improvement Project;
  • settlement agreement between the National Grain and Feed Association Inc. and OSHA;
  • updated answers to commonly asked maritime cargo handling questions; and
  • marine cargo handling safety and health information in a Web-based format with electronic links.

In 2010, seven workers died on the job in the marine cargo handling industry and approximately 2,900 suffered of injuries.

The Marine Terminals standards and the Longshoring standards are the two main standards that regulate the industry. To view OSHA’s Marine Industry standards and regulations, visit http://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/index.html.

To view the directive, visit http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_02-00-154.pdf.