This page lists office contact information and the responsibilities of the office members. It also contains a mission statement and describes the office functions.

Mission Statement:

"To provide the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with a strategic and well-planned program to address occupational safety and health enforcement for the maritime industries, including comprehensive program guidelines, policies, procedures, technical assistance, and information dissemination. The maritime industries encompass Shipyard Employment (29 CFR Part 1915), Marine Terminals (29 CFR Part 1917), Longshoring (29 CFR Part 1918), and Gear Certification (29 CFR Part 1919)."

Office Functions:

• Develops a strategic program and policy recommendations to be undertaken by compliance officers in the maritime industry, including those for targeted industries/hazards and scheduled inspection programs, and investigations of imminent danger situation, fatalities, catastrophes, complaints, referrals, and follow-up inspections.

• Develops a realistic and effective OSHA enforcement program for the maritime industry, and participates in incorporating these programs into a comprehensive program for inspections and investigations undertaken by field compliance officers by developing or revising program guidelines, national emphasis programs (NEPs), regulations, procedures, manuals, and instructions, as necessary.

• Develops and updates Standard Alleged Violation Elements (SAVEs) for occupational safety violations affecting the maritime industry.

• Provides technical assistance to Agency field organizations including the development of compliance practices and techniques, and interpretations and clarifications of occupational safety and health standards involving the maritime industry.

• Coordinates with the Office of the Solicitor (SOL) on the legal implications of compliance policy and procedural recommendations involving the maritime industry; develops litigation strategy recommendations for the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and the Agency; reviews field office inspection case files for technical accuracy, adequacy, and legal sufficiency.

• Replies to technical inquiries and requests for interpretations/clarifications of occupational safety and health standards pertaining to the maritime industry; conducts original literature research, evaluates technical reports/information and analyzes statistical data, in order to ensure accurate responses.

• Coordinates the activities of the Agency's Maritime Steering Committee (MSC) which is comprised of National Office and Field Office representatives, for developing recommendations of OSHA policy, procedures and product support; provides management, technical and administrative staff support for implementing MSC recommended initiatives that are acted upon by the Agency.

• Evaluates and assists in coordinating variance requests from the maritime industry with the Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management.

• Coordinates maritime industry activities with other National Office Directorates and, through the Directorate of Enforcement Programs, with Regional Administrators and their staff; provides policy, procedural, and technical support for the the review and/or development of maritime information and products.

• Conducts liaison with other National Office Directorates, other Federal and State agencies, and pertinent private sector groups regarding maritime industry issues and initiatives.

• Provides advice and develops responses regarding maritime industry jurisdiction and preemption involving both Federal and State agencies, and international conventions/agreements; participates in the development of memoranda of understanding and other documentation.

• Conducts the cargo gear accreditation and certification program in accordance with the provision of 29 CFR Part 1919 and provides management direction for this program and administrative support for associated program documentation.

• Provides technical assistance to the Directorate of Standards and Guidance, Office of Maritime, for the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH), which focuses on occupational safety and health issues for maritime employees involved in shipbuilding, shipbreaking, ship repair, and marine cargo handling.