The US Department of Labor has announced plans to reinforce health and safety protections for maritime industry workers throughout Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands through the introduction of a local emphasis programme.
An initiative introduced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); the programme is designed to address high injury and illness rates within maritime industries, and will establish inspections directed at operations on or adjacent to US navigable waterways during a five-year inspection plan.
Currently, OSHA maritime inspections apply to industries engaged in shipbuilding and repair, marine cargo handling, shipping navigation services, port and harbour operations, other support activities for water transportation, and marinas carrying out recreational boat repair.
Confidential assistance is available free of charge to improve workplace safety and health whilst promoting compliance with OSHA standards, with employers across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands urged to take advantage of on-site consultation services now available through the Puerto Rico OSHA Consultation Program and the US Virgin Islands Safety in Paradise OSHA On-site Consultation Program.
