OSHA 29 CFR 1915.87

Medical Services and First Aid - Maritime and Shipyard Industry Requirements

Last updated: September 21, 2025

Overview

OSHA 29 CFR 1915.87 establishes specific first aid and medical service requirements for maritime and shipyard operations. This standard recognizes the unique challenges of marine environments, including remote locations, limited access to medical facilities, and specialized hazards such as confined spaces, welding operations, and cargo handling. The regulation ensures appropriate emergency medical preparedness for workers in shipyards, ship repair, shipbuilding, and ship breaking operations.

Maritime Industry Focus: This standard addresses the unique challenges of maritime environments including remote locations, water rescue needs, and specialized industrial hazards.

Scope and Application

This standard applies to all maritime industry operations including:

Shipyard Employment: Ship construction, repair, alteration, and breaking operations
Marine Terminals: Loading and unloading operations at ports and marine facilities
Longshoring Operations: Cargo handling and stevedoring activities
Floating Dry Docks: Mobile ship repair and maintenance facilities
Offshore Platforms: Fixed and mobile drilling and production platforms

First Aid Requirements

Adequate Supplies: First aid supplies appropriate for maritime hazards and number of employees must be readily available
Weatherproof Storage: Supplies must be protected from marine environment and weather conditions
Multiple Locations: Supplies strategically placed throughout large shipyard facilities and vessels under construction
Emergency Equipment: Stretchers, blankets, and emergency communication equipment readily accessible
Marine-Specific Items: Supplies for hypothermia prevention, water rescue, and chemical exposures common in shipyard work

Trained Personnel Requirements

Due to the often remote nature of maritime operations, trained personnel requirements include:

First Aid Certification: Personnel trained in first aid must be available during all working hours
CPR Certification: At least one person per shift certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Water Rescue Training: Personnel trained in water rescue techniques for marine environments
Confined Space Rescue: Specialized training for confined space emergencies common in ship construction and repair
Chemical Exposure Response: Training for handling exposures to paints, solvents, and other maritime chemicals

Medical Facility Access

The standard addresses unique challenges of medical facility access in maritime settings:

Response Time Evaluation: Consider water transportation requirements and weather conditions affecting access
Emergency Transportation: Arrangements for rapid transport to medical facilities via boat, helicopter, or ambulance
On-Site Medical Care: Large shipyards may require on-site medical facilities or contracted medical services
Coast Guard Coordination: Protocols for coordinating with Coast Guard for emergency medical evacuations
Communication Systems: Reliable communication systems for summoning emergency medical assistance

Maritime-Specific Hazards

Hypothermia Prevention: Cold water exposure protection and warming supplies readily available
Welding and Hot Work: Burn treatment supplies and eye wash stations for welding operations
Chemical Exposures: Decontamination facilities and supplies for paint, solvent, and fuel exposures
Fall Protection: Equipment and procedures for falls from height and water entry incidents
Machinery Injuries: Trauma supplies for injuries from cranes, winches, and heavy machinery

Emergency Response Coordination

Effective emergency response in maritime environments requires coordination with multiple agencies:

Local emergency medical services and hospitals
U.S. Coast Guard for water-based emergencies and evacuations
Port authorities and harbor safety committees
Fire departments with marine firefighting capabilities
Environmental response teams for chemical spill incidents

Compliance Documentation

Training Records: Documentation of first aid, CPR, and specialized maritime emergency response training
Supply Inventories: Regular inspection and restocking records for first aid supplies and equipment
Emergency Response Plans: Written procedures for various emergency scenarios specific to maritime operations
Incident Reports: Documentation of workplace injuries and emergency response effectiveness

Resources

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