CFR 121C - Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Shipyard Employment 29 CFR 1915; 29 CFR 1915.501-.509

On September 15, 2004, federal OSHA issued a final rule (Federal Register) for fire protection in shipyard employment. This final rule provides increased protection for shipyard employment workers from the hazards of fire on vessels and vessel sections and at land-side facilities. The standard reflects new technologies and current consensus standards. It also gathers all fire-related safety practices for shipyard employment into a single subpart P. The N.C. Commissioner of Labor adopted this verbatim with an effective date of March 14, 2005. The shipyard standards only apply to the public sector employees in North Carolina. (See 13 NCAC 7F.0501).

In North Carolina, the OSH Division has authority over public sector shipyard employment activities on inspected vessels if the work is performed by public sector shipyard employees (non-crew members). The U.S. Coast Guard regulates working conditions for seamen (crew members) on inspected vessels while Federal OSHA has authority to cite private sector shipyard employment activities on inspected vessels if the work is performed by shipyard employees (non-crew members).

On uninspected vessels, the OSH Division has authority to cite public sector shipyard employers for all working conditions. The OSH Division can also cite the owners or operators of uninspected vessels for violations involving shipbuilding, shipbreaking, and ship repair operations regardless of whether the work is performed by seamen (crew members) or by non-crew members unless the hazards are covered by U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

Also reference CFR 121B - Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Shipyard Employment 29 CFR 1915, CFR 121E - Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Shipyard Employment 29 CFR 1915; General Working Conditions in Shipyards, FOM Chapter 18 - Maritime Inspection Procedures and CFR 121F - General Working Conditions in Shipyards 29 CFR Parts 1910. Additional information and resources can be found on the safety and health topics page for Fire Brigades and Fire Prevention Plans.