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Pursuant to § 1902.20(b)(1)(iii) and § 1954.3 of this chapter under which an agreement has been entered into with Puerto Rico, effective December 8, 1981, and based on a determination that Puerto Rico is operational in the issues covered by the Puerto Rico occupational safety and health plan, discretionary Federal enforcement authority under section 18(e) of the Act (29 U.S.C. 667(e)) will not be initiated with regard to Federal occupational safety and health standards in issues covered under 29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926 except as provided in this section. The U.S. Department of Labor will continue to exercise authority, among other things, with regard to: complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Labor alleging discrimination under section 11(c) of the Act (29 U.S.C. 660(c)); safety and health in private sector maritime activities and will continue to enforce all provisions of the Act, rules of orders, and all Federal standards, current or future, specifically directed to maritime employment (29 CFR Part 1915, shipyard employment; Part 1917, marine terminals; Part 1918, longshoring; Part 1919, gear certification) as well as provisions of general industry and construction standards (29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926) appropriate to hazards found in these employments; enforcement relating to any contractors or subcontractors on any Federal establishment where the State cannot obtain entry; enforcement of new Federal standards until the State adopts a comparable standard; situations where the State is refused entry and is unable to obtain a warrant or enforce the right of entry; enforcement of unique and complex standards as determined by the Assistant Secretary; situations when the State is temporarily unable to exercise its enforcement authority fully or effectively; completion of enforcement actions initiated prior to the effective date of the agreement; and investigations and inspections for the purpose of the evaluation of the Puerto Rico plan under sections 18(e) and (f) of the Act (29 U.S.C. 667(e) and (f)). Federal OSHA will also retain authority for coverage of Federal employers and employees, and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), including USPS employees, and contract employees and contractor- operated facilities engaged in USPS mail operations. The OSHA Regional Administrator will make a prompt recommendation for the resumption of the exercise of Federal enforcement authority under section 18(e) of the Act (29 U.S.C. 667(e)) whenever, and to the degree, necessary to assure occupational safety and health protection to employees in Puerto Rico.

[47 FR 25326, June 11, 1982; 65 FR 36630, June 9, 2000]