PRESS RELEASES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daniel K. Youhas | (202) 347-5462
SCA Shatters Record Low Safety Rate In 2004
Washington, DC – March 25, 2005 -- The Shipbuilders Council of America announced today that it has achieved record low safety rates for the year 2004. SCA's data is based on a quarterly injury and illness survey conducted by the Council and distributed to member shipyards. The Council announced that the average Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) for 2004 is 9.16. The rate bests the lowest recorded TRIR level set by the Council last year (10.58). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average TRIR for the industry as a whole (SIC 3731) in 2003 (the most recent data available) was 11.5.
SCA has a long-standing commitment to improve safety and health conditions in member shipyards. The Council has developed Strategic Partnerships, Regional and National Alliances with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in order to promote safe and healthful working conditions for shipyard employees. Through OSHA’s Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, SCA has produced three shipyard videos; a General Safety Orientation video, a Shipyard Train-The-Trainer Crane Safety video, and most recently a Shipyard Ergonomic Awareness video. SCA members are active participants on OSHA panels and rulemaking committees, including the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH).
SCA Chairman, Herschel Vinyard of Atlantic Marine Inc. noted, “This significant safety achievement evidences the safety commitment of SCA and its member shipyards. Our strong relationship with OSHA, coupled with the commitment to safety, will ensure significant safety improvements at our member shipyards.”
The results of the quarterly injury and illness survey are used as the foundation for the SCA Safety Committee’s biannual Safety Seminars. The seminars are conducted at member shipyards around the country in order to share information on successful safety and health programs. During the last seminar, held March 8-11, 2005 at Atlantic Marine, Inc., in Mobile, AL, Jim Maddux, Director of OSHA’s Office of Maritime discussed Subpart P: Fire Protection in Shipyard Employment. SCA President Allen Walker commented, “SCA values the direct access to knowledgeable OSHA personnel the National Alliance gives our members. The open communication concerning essential safety and health information has contributed significantly to our record low incidence rates.”
SCA is the largest and most broadly-based national trade association representing the U.S. shipyard industry. Its members build, repair and service America's fleet of commercial and small/mid-sized government vessels. The Council represents 44 companies that own and operate over 100 shipyards in 23 states. SCA also represents 27 affiliate members which provide goods and services to the shipyard industry. SCA members are located along all three U.S. coasts, the Great Lakes and the inland waterway system.