The United States Congress established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of 1970. Workers at state and local government agencies have OSH Act protections if they work in a state or territory that has an OSHA approved state program.

OSH Act rules also permit states and territories to develop state plans that cover only public sector workers. Five states and only one U.S. territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands, have OSHA approved state plans.  

The United States Virgin Islands Occupational Safety and Health State Plan provides for Safety and Health inspections and consultation services for the public sector departments and agencies of the Government of the Virgin Islands.  The Virgin Islands Division of Occupational Safety and Health (VIDOSH) is the authoritative division that is charged with enforcing and handling all safety concerns and complaints for the public sector. VIDOSH falls under the Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Labor and has operations in both the St. Croix and St. Thomas districts.

The VIDOSH Program is structured around three basic functions, set by Occupational Safety and Health administrative rules, regulations, and standards which include Enforcement Inspections, Consultation Services, and Education/Outreach and Training. 

State Plan Standards

VIDOSH has adopted identically all federal OSHA state plan standards and regulations applicable to state and local government employment.

Private Sector

Federal OSHA provides the “Safety In Paradise” Onsite Consultation Program for the private sector. Safety in Paradise (SIP) is administered by the University of the Virgin Islands, Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (UVI-CELL) Center at (340) 693-1100. While SIP handles private sector safety and health consultation services, private sector safety and health complaints are forwarded to the Federal OSHA – Puerto Rico area office at (787) 277-1560 or fax (787) 277-1567.

Federal Government Agencies

Federal OSHA of Puerto Rico maintains jurisdiction over all private sector workplaces as well as federal agencies, maritime employers such as shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring, military facilities and the U.S. Postal Service. The Federal Sector safety and health concerns and complaints are forwarded to the Federal OSHA – Puerto Rico area office at (787) 277-1560 or fax (787) 277-1567.