General Working Conditions >> Motor Vehicle Safety Equipment, Operation and Maintenance

In shipyards, motor vehicles, pedestrians, and sometimes bicycles all share the same areas for transiting to and from worksites. This is primarily a result of facility layout and size limits. It is required that measures are put in place to protect workers from hazard during the operation of motor vehicles and bicycles, as well as those on foot at worksites.

Potential Hazard

The lack of or minimal controls placed on the use of motor vehicles, bicycles, and the routing of pedestrian traffic at worksites engaged in shipyard employment have resulted in accidents, leading to serious injury and death.

Requirements and Example Solutions

  • Motor vehicles acquired or initially used after August 1, 2011 must be equipped with a safety belt for each employee operating or riding (29 CFR 1915.93(b)(1)).
  • Any vehicle not equipped with safety belts at the time of manufacturing are not required to be retrofitted to meet the safety belt requirement. However, the removal of vehicle safety equipment is prohibited (29 CFR 1915.93(b)(1) and (b)(3)).
  • While workers are operating or riding in a motor vehicle, each employee is required to have assigned and use firmly secured seats with a safety belt, securely and tightly fastened, at all times (29 CFR 1915.93(b)(2) and (b)(4)).
  • Motor vehicles must be maintained in a serviceable and safe operating condition, or otherwise be removed from service (29 CFR 1915.93(c)(1)).
  • Secure tools and materials from movement that may create a hazard for employees during transport (29 CFR 1915.93(c)(2)).
  • Measures must be put in place to ensure the safe transit of pedestrians and bicyclists (29 CFR 1915.93(c)(3)). Employers can:
    • Establish dedicated travel lanes for motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians;
    • Install crosswalks and traffic control devices such as stop signs, mirrors at blind spots, or physical barriers to separate travel lanes;
    • Establish appropriate speed limits for all motor vehicles;
    • Establish "no drive" times to allow for safe movement of pedestrians;
    • Provide reflective vests or other gear so pedestrians and bicyclists are clearly visible to motor vehicle operators; or
    • Ensure that bicycles have reflectors, lights, or other equipment to maximize visibility of the bicyclist.

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