OSHA Releases Revised Directive to Improve Marine Cargo Handling Safety

A newly revised OSHA directive aims to improve safety in the marine cargo handling industry by clarifying PPE requirements, providing information on vertical tandem lifts, responding to frequently asked questions and more.

In 2010, seven workers died and more than 2,900 were injured performing marine cargo handling operations, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The revised directive provides enforcement guidance for inspections of longshoring operations and at marine terminals and also ensure consistent enforcement of OSHA’s marine cargo handling industry standards (29 CFR Parts 1917 and 1918).

The revised directive:

• Clarifies 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;
• Provides information and guidance on vertical tandem lifts, both on the regulations and the recent court ruling on a challenge by industry to those regulations;
• Includes changes to the Marine Terminals and Safety and Health Regulations for Longshoring provisions based on Phase III of the Standards Improvement Project;
• Incorporates the settlement agreement between the National Grain and Feed Association Inc. and OSHA;
• Updates answers to commonly asked maritime cargo handling questions; and
• Delivers marine cargo handling safety and health information in a Web-based format with electronic links.

Download the directive as a PDF.