OSHA's Reminding Industry of Offshore Jurisdiction
The agency covers safety and health conditions not specifically covered by the U.S. Coast Guard on all vessels within three nautical miles of shore.
OSHA's Region 10 posted a reminder to employers that the federal agency has jurisdiction on some maritime vessels – specifically, the agency addresses safety and health conditions not specifically covered by the U.S. Coast Guard on all vessels within three nautical miles of shore. Three nautical miles is equal to 3.45 statute miles.
Thus, regardless of whether they are inspected or uninspected vessels, all vessels must report fatalities to OSHA at 800-321-OSHA within eight hours and must report all in-patient hospitalizations of one or more employees, amputations, or loss of an eye within 24 hours, according to OSHA.
OSHA will refer all safety and health concerns for crew on inspected vessels to the U.S. Coast Guard. "Too many employers tell us they were unaware that OSHA covered their operations," said Cecil Tipton, the agency's area director in Portland, Ore. "Our goal is to coordinate with our partners in the maritime industry to safeguard the men and women working offshore."