Virgin Islands state plan

The Virgin Islands State Plan for public employees was approved on July 23, 2003. See 1952.26(a) for the approval date and 1952 for the part context.

The plan covers only State and local government employers and employees within the Virgin Islands. See 1952.26(b) which states the plan’s coverage is limited to State and local government entities.

No — the Virgin Islands State Plan does not cover private-sector employers or employees. The text of 1952.26(b) specifies that the plan only covers State and local government employers and employees.

No — the Virgin Islands State Plan covers only State and local government employers and employees and does not cover federal government employees. See 1952.26(b) for the coverage limitation.

You can find additional details by consulting the Virgin Islands State Plan online and the regulatory citation. See 1952.26 for the regulation and the Virgin Islands State Plan information linked from OSHA’s state plans resources (Virgin Islands State Plan page).

It means the approved plan applies only to public (State and local government) employees in the Virgin Islands and not to private-sector workers. The language in 1952.26(a) and 1952.26(b) makes this limitation clear.

Enforcement for the employers and employees covered is handled under the Virgin Islands State Plan framework for State and local government entities. See 1952 and 1952.26 for the part and the specific Virgin Islands entry.

Start with the Virgin Islands State Plan materials and the specific regulatory citation for the plan to confirm coverage and applicable rules. See 1952.26(b) and the part overview at 1952 for where the plan fits in OSHA’s framework; then consult the State Plan office’s web materials for program details.

Not generally — the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard applies when workers have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), and routine contact with diluted wastewater or sewage is not usually considered OPIM unless it is visibly contaminated with blood. See 1952.26(b) for who the plan covers and OSHA’s interpretation in the Letter of Interpretation, Bloodborne pathogens in wastewater (July 30, 2007), which explains that routine wastewater contact generally does not trigger 29 CFR 1910.1030.

They must be offered the hepatitis B vaccine if their job duties reasonably anticipate contact with blood or OPIM — for example, employees who render first aid or who may handle used hypodermic needles. The Bloodborne pathogens in wastewater Letter of Interpretation (July 30, 2007) explains these scenarios; also see 1952.26(b) regarding plan coverage for public employees.

Yes — employees who are designated to render first aid and who may come into contact with blood or OPIM are considered to have occupational exposure and must be offered the hepatitis B vaccination. See the Bloodborne pathogens in wastewater Letter of Interpretation (July 30, 2007) for OSHA’s guidance and 1952.26(b) for the Virgin Islands plan’s scope.

Yes — if a structure meets the definition of a spray booth under 29 CFR 1910.107, OSHA’s interpretation is that it must be equipped with approved automatic sprinklers on the upstream and downstream sides of the filters. See the Spray booth standards inquiry Letter of Interpretation (August 12, 2004) for this clarification and 1952.26(b) for the Virgin Islands plan coverage of public employers.

Yes — OSHA’s letter states that a dry chemical extinguishing system or a properly installed carbon dioxide (gaseous) system may be used in lieu of automatic water sprinklers if they meet OSHA requirements. See the Spray booth standards inquiry Letter of Interpretation (August 12, 2004) and review 1952.26(b) for the Virgin Islands plan’s applicability to public employers.

Reference 1952.26, which lists "The Virgin Islands" entry and includes the approval information at 1952.26(a). This is the official regulatory citation in OSHA’s compilation for the Virgin Islands State Plan.

Consult the Virgin Islands State Plan materials and OSHA’s part for State Plans; the regulation entry 1952.26 points to the plan and the approval record, and the Virgin Islands State Plan web resources provide program details and any updates. For interpretive clarifications about specific standards, refer to OSHA letters such as the Bloodborne pathogens in wastewater (July 30, 2007) or Spray booth standards inquiry (August 12, 2004).