Partial Withdrawal of Approval of the Virgin Islands State Plan; Resumption of Exclusive Federal Enforcement Authority in the Private Sector; and Conversion and Approval of the Virgin Islands State Plan to a State Plan for Public Employees Only

This action amends the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to reflect the withdrawal of approval by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the United States Virgin Islands' (the "Virgin Islands") comprehensive State plan covering both private and public sector employers and employees, and the conversion and approval of a public employee State plan, covering employers and employees of the Territory and its political subdivisions only. This action is taken as the result of unique structural and performance issues in the Virgin Islands and with mutual agreement. Federal OSHA will now exercise exclusive jurisdiction over all private sector employers and employees in the Virgin Islands. In addition to public employee coverage, the Territory will provide expanded on-site consultation services to the private sector in the U.S. Virgin Islands pursuant to a new cooperative agreement with OSHA as authorized by Section 21(d) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.