May 17, 2023

US Department of Labor, Shipbuilders Council of America renew alliance to promote safe, healthful workplaces in Mid-Atlantic shipyard industry

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Shipbuilders Council of America and its associate members have renewed an alliance to continue protecting the Mid-Atlantic region’s shipbuilding workers from workplace safety and health hazards. 

Originally established as a two-year alliance in July 2021, the renewal extends the joint initiative until 2026. The alliance will continue to:

• Provide information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
• Develop information on recognizing and prevent workplace hazards to share with shipyard industry employers and workers.
• Promote and encourage the use of OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program, including the Pennsylvania OSHA Consultation Program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

"Our alliance renewal with the Shipbuilders Council of America will continue to make preventing safety hazards common in the shipbuilding and repair industry a priority. These hazards include falls, heat, hazardous atmospheres, electrocution, fires and explosions," said OSHA Regional Administrator Michael Rivera in Philadelphia. "Together, we can continue educating industry employers and protecting industry workers."

Based in Washington, the Shipbuilders Council of America is the national trade association representing the U.S. shipyard industry. Its members include shipbuilders, ship repairers and the associated supplier base.

OSHA’s Alliance Program works with groups committed to worker safety and health to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. These groups include unions, consulates, trade or professional organizations, businesses, faith- and community-based organizations, and educational institutions. OSHA and the groups work together to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, share information with workers and employers, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities.

Learn more about OSHA.

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Media Contacts:

Leni Fortson, 215-861-5102, uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov
Joanna Hawkins, 215-861-5101, hawkins.joanna@dol.gov

Release Number: 23-970-PHI