OSHA clarifies maritime offshore reporting rules

APRIL 19, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is reminding employers that 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.

Regardless of whether they are inspected or uninspected, all vessels must report fatalities to OSHA at 800-321-OSHA within 8 hours.

Vessels must report all in-patient hospitalizations of one or more employees, amputations, or loss of an eye within 24 hours.

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, OR. “Our goal is to coordinate with our partners in the maritime industry to safeguard the men and women working offshore.”