Scope and application

Part 1918 applies to longshoring operations and related employment aboard vessels. See 1918.1(a).

• This means work done on vessels related to loading, unloading, or otherwise handling cargo aboard the vessel is covered by Part 1918.
• Cargo transfer that uses shore‑based material handling devices (for example, shore cranes moving cargo) is not covered by Part 1918 but is covered by Part 1917 of OSHA’s standards, as stated in 1918.1(a).

Cargo transfers accomplished with the use of shore‑based material handling devices are covered by Part 1917, not Part 1918. See 1918.1(a).

• If the cargo handling is shore‑based (shore cranes, shore forklifts moving cargo to/from a vessel), follow Part 1917.
• Part 1918 applies mainly to operations that take place aboard the vessel (longshoring and related employment aboard vessels).

Part 1910 generally does not apply to longshoring, except for the specific provisions listed in 1918.1(b).

Those provisions that do apply include: access to employee exposure and medical records (1910.1020) under 1918.1(b)(1); commercial diving (Subpart T) under 1918.1(b)(2); shore‑based electrical installations powering vessels under 1918.1(b)(3); hazard communication (1910.1200) under 1918.1(b)(4); ionizing radiation (1910.1096) under 1918.1(b)(5); noise (1910.95) under 1918.1(b)(6); nonionizing radiation (1918.1(b)(7)); respiratory protection (1910.134) under 1918.1(b)(8); toxic and hazardous substances (Subpart Z) with specified exceptions under 1918.1(b)(9); and powered industrial truck operator training (1910.178(l) ) under 1918.1(b)(10).

• Consult each cited provision for the specific duties and how they apply to longshoring activities.

Access to employee exposure and medical records for longshoring is covered by 1910.1020, as specified in 1918.1(b)(1).

• Employers in longshoring must allow access to exposure and medical records consistent with 1910.1020.
• Keep records, training documentation, and release information as required by that standard.

Yes. Hazard communication requirements in 1910.1200 apply to longshoring activities as stated in 1918.1(b)(4).

• Employers must maintain labels, safety data sheets (SDSs), and worker training where hazardous chemicals are present during marine cargo handling.
• Use the 1910.1200 requirements to determine what information, communication, and training you must provide.

Yes. The OSHA occupational noise standard, 1910.95, applies to longshoring as specified in 1918.1(b)(6).

• Employers must implement hearing conservation, monitoring, and protection measures when noise exposures meet or exceed the action levels in 1910.95.
• Use audiometric testing and training requirements in 1910.95 where applicable.

Exposures to nonionizing radiation from commercial vessel radar are considered hazardous when the radar is transmitting and either (a) the scanner is stationary and the exposure distance is 19 feet (5.79 m) or less, or (b) the scanner is rotating and the exposure distance is 5 feet (1.52 m) or less, per 1918.1(b)(7).

• If exposures meet these conditions, employers should treat them as hazardous under the nonionizing radiation guidance in 1918.1(b)(7).
• Consider engineering controls, restricted access, signage, and worker training to reduce exposures below hazardous distances.

Yes. Respiratory protection requirements in 1910.134 apply to longshoring, as stated in 1918.1(b)(8).

• When workers aboard vessels or during marine cargo handling face respiratory hazards, employers must follow 1910.134 for medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and written respiratory protection programs.
• Implement the required respiratory protection program elements in 1910.134 when exposures warrant respirator use.

Yes. Powered industrial truck operator training in 1910.178(l) applies to longshoring, as stated in 1918.1(b)(10).

• Note the rule text includes a compliance‑date note saying the December 1, 1999 compliance dates in 1910.178(l)(7) were stayed until March 1, 2000 for longshoring; see 1918.1(b)(10).
• Employers must follow the training, evaluation, and documentation requirements in 1910.178(l).

Subpart Z applies to marine cargo handling activities except when the substance or cargo is contained within a sealed, intact means of packaging or containment that complies with Department of Transportation or International Maritime Organization requirements, as stated in 1918.1(b)(9)(i).

• Other explicit exceptions listed in 1918.1(b)(9) include bloodborne pathogens (1910.1030), carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide addressed via 1910.1000 with cross‑references to 1918.94(a) and 1918.94(f), and hexavalent chromium (1910.1026 and 1915.1026).
• If cargo is sealed and intact per DOT/IMO rules, many Subpart Z workplace requirements for the packaged material won’t apply during typical marine cargo handling, but employers must still address hazards that arise if containers are opened or damaged.

Bloodborne pathogens encountered during marine cargo handling are covered by 1910.1030, per the exception in 1918.1(b)(9)(ii).

• Employers handling potentially infectious materials must follow the bloodborne pathogens standard (1910.1030) for exposure control, training, hepatitis B vaccination, and recordkeeping.

Carbon monoxide exposures in marine cargo handling are governed by 1910.1000 with the specific marine reference in 1918.1(b)(9)(iii) and further guidance in 1918.94(a).

• Use the permissible exposure limits and monitoring requirements in 1910.1000 when assessing CO hazards on vessels or during cargo operations.
• See 1918.94(a) for additional shipboard breathing hazard guidance that cross‑references the general industry limits.

Hydrogen sulfide exposures in marine cargo handling are addressed by the general industry airborne contaminant limits in 1910.1000 with marine‑specific references in 1918.1(b)(9)(iv) and further guidance in 1918.94(f).

• Employers must evaluate H2S hazards, monitor where necessary, and follow the exposure limits and protective measures found in 1910.1000.
• Consult 1918.94(f) for shipboard considerations tied to these exposures.

Hexavalent chromium exposures in workplaces covered by Part 1918 are regulated by 1915.1026, and 1918.1(c) confirms that 1915.1026 applies to occupational exposures to hexavalent chromium under this part.

• Although Subpart Z includes 1910.1026 for general industry, 1918.1(c) directs employers in maritime contexts to follow the shipyard‑related 1915.1026 requirements.

When shore‑based electrical installations provide power for use aboard vessels, the electrical requirements in Subpart S of Part 1910 apply to those shore‑based installations, as noted in 1918.1(b)(3).

• Employers should follow the relevant electrical safety rules and standards in Part 1910 (Subpart S) for shore power systems, connections, and work on those installations.
• Coordinate with vessel operators and shore electrical personnel to ensure compliance when shore power is used aboard ships.

No. Part 1910 generally does not apply to longshoring, except for the specific provisions listed in 1918.1(b).

• Use Part 1918 as the primary source for longshoring operations and consult the specific Part 1910 provisions identified in 1918.1(b) when they are relevant.

The note means that the compliance dates in 1910.178(l)(7) that were originally set for December 1, 1999, were stayed specifically for longshoring until March 1, 2000, as stated in 1918.1(b)(10).

• Longshoring employers must comply with the powered industrial truck operator training requirements in 1910.178(l), respecting the special compliance‑date note in 1918.1(b)(10).
• Check the specific paragraphs of 1910.178(l) for training content, evaluation, and documentation requirements.

If the cargo is contained in sealed, intact packaging or containment that complies with DOT or IMO requirements, then Subpart Z workplace substance rules generally do not apply to that packaged cargo during normal marine cargo handling, according to 1918.1(b)(9)(i).

• This exception covers properly sealed containers transported and handled without opening or damage.
• If containers are opened, damaged, or leaking, Subpart Z obligations (and other applicable standards) may apply; employers must then evaluate hazards and apply the relevant 1910 requirements.

Yes. If a crane operator or other employee aboard a vessel has potential to be struck by falling objects, the employer must ensure head protection is used, consistent with OSHA guidance in the head protection letter of interpretation (June 6, 2024). See the OSHA interpretation on head protection for crane operators and the employer’s duty to assess hazards per OSHA standards.

• The interpretation explains that where there is potential for injury from falling objects (for example when lifting loads with cranes or hoists), employers must require protective helmets for affected employees.
• Employers should follow consensus standards for helmets referenced in that interpretation and perform a hazard assessment to decide who must wear head protection.