The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) now requires all preservative coatings be stripped back at least 4 inches from an area of heat application before starting any hot work. The previous standard was 2 inches, per a longstanding agreement with Newport News Shipbuilding.

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OSHA has suggested ways to lessen the impact of this change while still ensuring shipbuilders’ safety.

In support, NNS has stood up a Global Paint Strip Back Team led by Engineering Manager David Cash (E42) to assist Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), which is sponsoring the effort.