Introduction to OSHA
This domain tests the statutory foundation of OSHA, how OSHA's authority is divided from the U.S. Coast Guard in maritime work, how standards are organized, and how inspections are prioritized. Expect questions that ask which agency covers a task and which legal theory supports a citation.
Legal foundation
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created OSHA within the Department of Labor. Its mission is to assure safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and compliance assistance. The Act covers most private-sector employers and employees; federal agencies are covered separately, and states may operate approved plans.
Maritime standards and jurisdiction
OSHA's maritime rules are mainly 29 CFR 1915 (shipyard employment), 1917 (marine terminals), and 1918 (longshoring). Where no specific maritime rule applies, general industry (1910) or construction (1926) standards may fill the gap. The Coast Guard regulates vessel design, equipment, and operation; OSHA covers shoreside and shipyard work and longshoring. The exam often tests this boundary: repairing a vessel in a shipyard is generally OSHA territory, while the vessel's operation and seaworthiness are Coast Guard territory.
General Duty Clause
Section 5(a)(1) requires each employer to furnish a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. It applies when no specific standard covers the hazard. Recognition, likelihood of serious harm, and feasible abatement are the key elements.
Inspection priorities
OSHA prioritizes imminent danger, fatalities and severe injuries, complaints and referrals, programmed inspections, and follow-ups. An inspection includes an opening conference, walkaround, and closing conference.
Worked example
A terminal operator assigns workers to hand-load cargo in extreme heat. No specific heat standard exists. OSHA can cite Section 5(a)(1) if the hazard is recognized (industry guidance and prior incidents), likely to cause serious harm, and abatement is feasible (water, rest, shade, acclimatization). The reasoning matters: the General Duty Clause is not a catch-all for every discomfort; it requires a recognized serious hazard and a feasible fix.
Traps that cost marks
Assuming OSHA regulates all vessel operations at sea; assuming OSHA guarantees an injury-free workplace; treating the General Duty Clause as requiring a specific standard; or believing OSHA covers only unionized employers.