At Ingalls, safety is our top priority. As we work together to maintain a Zero Injuries environment, it is crucial that we each strictly adhere to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols, which include eye and face protection, as well as hearing conservation.
Eye Protection
All shipbuilders are required to wear safety glasses in the shipyard except when inside offices, vehicles with closed cabs and during lunch in designated eating areas. Most eye injuries in the shipyard are prevented by the use of proper PPE. Eye protection that fits correctly must be ANSI Z87 certified. Safety glasses should rest firmly on top of the nose and close to the face. All safety glasses must have side shields or wraparound styling. Glasses with dark lenses are not allowed inside ships, shops or assemblies, or in low light areas.
Face Protection
Face coverings can only be worn while working in production areas and must be removed during breaks. This not only helps reduce the risk of heat stress injuries but also ensures everyone is wearing the appropriate required ear protection. Both of these issues are critical to ensuring a safe workplace.
Hearing Conservation
Certain shipbuilding job tasks create a high occupational noise level. Hearing protection must be properly worn and maintained. Earplugs require clean storage and hygiene, as well as washing with soapy water daily to prevent dirt and wax buildup. To not impede safety and situational awareness, personal headphones, headsets, earbuds and other devices are restricted for use as hearing protection and are not to be worn in production areas. Shipbuilders who use hearing aids must also wear proper hearing protection where required.
Approved protective wear can be found in PPE vending machines located throughout the shipyard, as well as in the Safety Center.
Wearing PPE is not just a requirement; it’s a commitment to safety. By adhering to these protocols diligently, we contribute to a culture of Zero Injuries to ensure everyone goes home safe at the end of each shift.
For more guidelines on Proper Protective Equipment (PPE), please see Command Media SSG K0200 or the Ingalls Employee Environmental Health & Safety Handbook.
Zero Fires. Zero Damages. Zero Injuries. Zero Compromise.