CFR 144E - Marine Terminals; Open Fires

This final rule revokes the Open Fires in Marine Terminals Standard, 29 CFR 1917.21 (‘‘Open Fires Standard’’). OSHA has determined that this standard is no longer necessary to protect employees working in marine terminals from occupational safety and health hazards. The North Carolina Department of Labor adopted this final rule verbatim with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

In North Carolina, the NCDOL OSH Division has authority to cite employers engaged in public sector marine terminal operations. The U.S. Coast Guard regulations do not preempt the NCDOL OSH Division from citing these employers, however on inspected vessels, the OSH Division has no authority to cite the owner or operator of the vessel with respect to any working conditions of seamen (crew members), regardless of the work they are performing.

Also reference Field Operations Manual Chapter 18 - Maritime Inspection Procedures, CFR 144 - Longshoring and Marine Terminals, CFR 144A - Marine Terminals, and CFR 144B - Marine Terminals; Vertical Tandem Lifts. Additional resources and information can be found on the safety and health topic pages for Materials Handling and Storage and Maritime Safety and Health Resources (Scan QR Code).