Maritime Safety Program Expands to Puerto Rico and USVI
Summary
OSHA announced expansion of its maritime safety Local Emphasis Program to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The initiative, effective March 2, 2026, establishes a five-year inspection plan targeting maritime industries including shipbuilding, boat building, marine cargo handling, port operations, and marinas. Free consultation services are available through the Puerto Rico OSHA Consultation Program and USVI Safety in Paradise program to help employers identify hazards and achieve compliance.
What changed
OSHA announced expansion of its maritime Local Emphasis Program to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program targets maritime industries with historically high injury and illness rates, including shipbuilding and repair, boat building, marine cargo handling, port and harbor operations, shipping navigation services, and marinas conducting recreational boat repair. The five-year inspection plan was formally established on March 2, 2026.
Maritime employers in Puerto Rico and USVI should be aware that increased OSHA enforcement activity is anticipated in their jurisdictions. Employers are encouraged to take advantage of free, confidential on-site consultation services available through the Puerto Rico OSHA Consultation Program and the U.S. Virgin Islands Safety in Paradise program to proactively identify hazards and strengthen safety programs before inspections occur.
What to do next
- Review the Local Emphasis Program directive to understand inspection priorities
- Utilize free OSHA consultation services in Puerto Rico or USVI to identify workplace hazards
- Ensure compliance with OSHA maritime safety standards
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
OSHA News Release - New York City Region
U.S. Department of Labor
NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor is reinforcing safety and health protections for workers in maritime industries throughout Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through a local emphasis program.
April 15, 2026
US Department of Labor amplifies maritime protections for Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands following increased workplace safety concerns
NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor is reinforcing safety and health protections for workers in maritime industries throughout Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through a local emphasis program.
Designed to address high injury and illness rates within maritime industries, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiative establishes inspections directed at maritime industries operating on or adjacent to U.S. navigable waterways during a five-year inspection plan.
OSHA maritime inspections apply to industries engaged in shipbuilding and repair, boat building, marine cargo handling, shipping navigation services, port and harbor operations, other support activities for water transportation, and marinas conducting recreational boat repair.
Free, confidential assistance is available to improve workplace safety and health while promoting compliance with OSHA standards. Employers across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands should take advantage of the free on-site consultation services available now through the Puerto Rico OSHA Consultation Program and the U.S. Virgin Islands Safety in Paradise OSHA On-site Consultation Program.
These services help small businesses identify workplace hazards, strengthen safety programs, and reduce injuries in high risk maritime industries. View details of the maritime initiative, established March 2, 2026, on OSHA’s enforcement site.
For additional occupational safety and health information, contact the OSHA Puerto Rico Area Office at (787) 277-1560 or visit www.osha.gov.
Learn more about solutions to common industry hazards.
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Media Contacts:
Erika B. Ruthman, 678-237-0631, ruthman.erika.b@dol.gov
Eric R. Lucero, 678-237-0630, lucero.eric.r@dol.gov
Juan J. Rodríguez, 972-850-4709, rodriguez.juan@dol.gov
Release Number: 26-597-BOS (153)
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