There are just 100 certified marine chemists in the U.S., and one, Electric Boat’s own Don Raffo (Dept. 341), was recently appointed by U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta to chair the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Maritime Advisory Committee on Occupational Health and Safety (MACOSH).
MACOSH advises OSHA on matters relevant to the safety and health of employees in the maritime industry, advice that results in more effective enforcement, training, outreach programs and regulatory efforts. The maritime industry includes shipyard employment, long-shoring, marine terminals, commercial fishing and shipbreaking (the taking apart/recycling of retired ships).
“I’m excited by the challenge of chairing the committee,” said Raffo. “It’s a high point of my career.”
Raffo joined EB in 1980 as an outside machinist. He became a lab technician and pursued his certification as a marine chemist. His career progressed to his current position as a lab supervisor.
“I oversee the nuclear water chemistry lab, oil analysis lab, oxygen clean room and the confined space program at our sites,” said Raffo. “My focus is on worker health and safety, first and foremost, and the protection of EB’s assets. Through EB, I initially got involved with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on a technical committee controlling gas hazards on marine vessels. In parallel, I became chairman of the Marine Chemist Association, the professional organization composed of chemists certified by NFPA.”
Through these experiences, Raffo was encouraged by OSHA to apply to join MACOSH. He began as a member, became chairman of the shipyard advisory group, and now is overall chairman, overseeing all of MACOSH’s maritime industry groups.
During his two-year tenure as chairman, Raffo will provide oversight of committee members creating advisory documents/products. “Towards this goal, I’ve conducted tours of other facilities including small shipyards and long-shoring facilities to gain a better understanding for the different components of the maritime industry. At EB, we are one of the biggest shipyards in the nation. I have assets available to me—our labs, the safety department, industrial hygienists, marine chemists—that are not available to many shipyards around the nation. That’s important to consider when we’re advising OSHA.”
According to the May 2, 2019 Federal Register, “MACOSH provides a collective industry knowledge and expertise, not otherwise available to the Secretary (Acosta), to assist in addressing the unique hazards found in shipyard and cargo-handling activities.”
EB’s other certified marine chemist is Don’s son Peter Raffo, who works in the safety department and has been certified for about 1.5 years.
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