OSHA Joins with Naval Historical Center to Protect Employees Working on ‘Old Ironsides’

Enhancing workplace safety for the workers who repair and restore the nation’s oldest commissioned warship, the U.S.S. Constitution, is the goal of a newly signed alliance between the U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Navy’s Naval Historical Center-Detachment Boston (NHC-DB).

OSHA health and safety alliances are part of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao’s ongoing efforts to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative partnerships.

The Naval Historical Center provides administrative support to the USS Constitution, including the ship’s maintenance and repair facility at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. NHC-DB employs specially trained and skilled artisans, including ship restorers and riggers, who ensure that “Old Ironsides” is safe to sail and continues to shine as a symbol of U.S. Navy history and heritage.

“This alliance is a unique opportunity to share resources and knowledge to help ensure that one of our nation’s most historic worksites is also one of its safest,” said Marthe Kent, OSHA’s New England regional administrator.

Under the alliance, the two partners will develop and deliver training programs for NHC-DB employees who repair and restore the U.S.S. Constitution. Training will focus on the recognition and prevention of fall, electrical, caught-between and struck-by hazards. OSHA and NHC-DB will also share and promote best practices and effective approaches to workplace safety.

Signing the alliance were Kent and Richard Whelan, director, Naval Historical Center-Detachment Boston.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created more than 325 alliances with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace.