Region 10 News Release: 99-01
Friday, January 8, 1999
Contact: Jeannine Lupton, (206) 553-7620 | TDD: (800) 676-8956

SEATTLE - The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced today it has agreed to assume additional jurisdiction over all shipyard employment on or immediately adjacent to navigable waters in Oregon and over private sector establishments, including tribal and Indian-owned enterprises, within the boundaries of all Indian reservations, and on trust lands outside of reservations.

Federal OSHA has jurisdiction for private sector employment on the navigable waters of the United States. The new agreement with Oregon OSHA gives federal OSHA additional jurisdiction for shore side shipyard and boatyard activity, from the front gate of the work site to the U.S. statutory limits, according to Richard Terrill, OSHA regional administrator in Seattle.

Terrill also reported that Oregon OSHA agreed to transfer enforcement jurisdiction over tribal governments, tribal businesses and private sector businesses on tribal reservations in Oregon to federal OSHA. Oregon OSHA will seek approval from the nine Indian tribes to continue its jurisdiction over state, county and city employees who work on tribal lands, as federal OSHA requires the state to cover such non-federal public employees in matters of occupational safety and health. Oregon OSHA will continue to provide no-cost consultation and training services to private sector employers, tribal businesses and tribal governments.

These actions are a result of a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by federal OSHA and Oregon OSHA on December 23, 1998, and became effective January 6, 1999, upon publication in the Federal Register.

For additional information please contact Bonnie Friedman, director, Office of Public Affairs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, at 202-693-1999 or Bob Sjoberg, OSHA's Seattle office, at 206-553-5930.