Document: 534 U.S. 235122 S.Ct. 738151 L.Ed.2d 659 NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the preliminary print of United States Reports. Readers are requested notify Reporter Decisions, Supreme Court States, Washington, D. C. 20543, any typographical or other errors, order that corrections may be made goes press.ELAINE L. CHAO, SECRETARY OF LABOR, PETITIONERv.MALLARD BAY DRILLING, INC. No. 00-927. SUPREME COURT THE UNITED STATES Argued October 31, 2001Decided January 9, 2002 Syllabus While Rig 52, respondent's oil and gas exploration barge, was drilling a well Louisiana's territorial waters, an explosion on board killed injured several workers. Pursuant its statutory authority, Coast Guard (Coast Guard) investigated incident, but did not accuse respondent violating regulations. Indeed, noted barge "uninspected vessel," see 46 U.S.C. § 2101 (43), as opposed "inspected vessel" comprehensive regulation, §3301. Subsequently, Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) cited for violations Act 1970 (OSH Act) Respondent challenged OSHA's jurisdiction issue citations grounds 52 "workplace" under §4(a) §4(b)(1) pre-empted OSHA because had exclusive authority prescribe enforce occupational safety health standards vessels such 52. In rejecting both challenges, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) found held jurisdiction, explaining there no industry-wide exemption from regulations uninspected regulation specifically regulating citations' matter. The Review Commission issued final assessing penalty against respondent. Without addressing issue, Fifth Circuit reversed, holding Guard's over seamen's working conditions aboard precluded §4(b)(1), this pre-emption encompassed inspected vessels. Held: 1. Because has neither affirmatively regulated at nor asserted regulatory vessels, it exercised §4(b)(1). OSH does apply which federal agencies "exercise" 29 653 (b)(1). Congress' use makes clear mere possession by another agency unexercised insufficient displace jurisdiction. Furthermore, agency's minimal exercise some certain vessel result complete To determine whether have 52's conditions, thus necessary examine contours authority. With respect parties do dispute been broad workers' safety, 3306 . signed Memorandum Understanding recognizing displaced all including those addressed specific contrast, more limited. Its general maritime address concerns faced inland operations and, thus, pre-empt case. And, although engaged limited regulate types identified risk here. Pp. 59. 2. Act. It located within geographic area described State attaches significance fact anchored navigable waters. 9-10. 212 F.3d 898, reversed. ON WRIT CERTIORARI TO APPEALS FOR FIFTH CIRCUIT Stevens, J., delivered Court, Members joined, except Scalia, who took part decision Opinion Justice Stevens Court. 1 operates fleet barges used exploration. On April 1997, one barges, "Rig 52," towed location waters Louisiana, where drilled two miles deep. June 16, when crew nearly completed drilling, occurred, killing four members injuring others. Under regulations, incident qualified "marine casualty" involved commercial operating "upon States." CFR 4.03- (2000). 2 conducted investigation casualty. See 6101- 6104, 6301 6308 (1994 ed. Supp. V).1 resulting report scope what "purely issues," "does mineral state expertise adequately analyze issues relating failure oil/natural well." App. Pet. Cert. 24a. determined natural leaked well, spread throughout likely ignited sparks pump room. factual findings concerning crew's actions, limits 52: explained that, Certificate Documentation, "never required hold Inspection Guard." Id., 27a. terminology, 14 varieties vessels" 3301 V). 3 Based largely information obtained three Act), 84 Stat. 1590, amended, 651 et seq. V), Act's implementing alleged failed promptly evacuate employees rig; develop implement emergency response plan handle anticipated emergencies; train response. 97-1973, 1998 WL 917067, *1 (OSHRC, Dec. 28, 1998). deny charges, grounds: meaning Act;2 waters.3 4 rejected jurisdictional challenges. Finding "employees were performing navigational-related activities" "was stationary boundaries Louisiana," he concluded *3. ALJ then basis "industry-wide regulations" identify "specifically regulat[ing]" matter citations. *4. ALJ's view, cannot unless exercises particular condition: Mere power enough.4 declined review $4,410 per citation. *1. 5 reaching question Act, Appeals "has seaman [Rig 52], precluding Section 4(b)(1) Act." 900 ones, exercised" "authority requires pre-emption. 901 (stating, with "life preservers lifesaving equipment; alerting locating fire extinguishing backfire flame control; ventilation tanks engine spaces; cooking, heating, lighting systems; orientation instructions; action after accident; signaling lights"). However, court conceded "[b]ecause self-propelled, these their nature, 52]." 901, n. 6. 6 Courts construed pre-emptive force narrowly than Circuit, akin interpretation adopted case,5 we granted certiorari resolve conflict. 531 1143 (2001). We reverse, statute us do. 7 imposes covered employers duty provide "are free recognized hazards causing cause death serious bodily harm" employees, obligation comply promulgated Secretary Labor. 654 (a)(1), (2).6 coverage not, however, extend agencies. avoid overlapping codified (b)(1), provides: 8 "Nothing [Act] shall Federal affecting health." (Emphasis added). 9 word contrary position, see, e.g., Tr. Oral Arg. 39, also only if ones "with which" regulated, "affec[t] §653(b)(1).7 merely existence 10 Congress assigned important mission Guard. governing provides, part: 11 "The administer laws promulgate promotion life property high seas covering matters delegated law executive department ." (2000 ed.). 12 provision, possesses promoting As mentioned above, defining divided universe into classes: vessels." listed "subject inspection" pursuant substantial body rules mandated Congress.8 (43) defines "a inspection section 3301-- recreational vessel." 13 workers "Memorandum Understanding" (MOU) March 17, 1983, evidencing agreement "may seamen 48 Fed. Reg. 11365. MOU recognizes hence displacement extends discussed "not regulations." Ibid. Thus, MOU, either promulgating asserting category Uninspected present entirely different situation. Nearly responsible displacing like (43). Rather, context thereof regulates related marine extinguishers, preservers, arrestors, ventilation, equipment. 4102 V); pts. 24-26 they acknowledged, many even F.3d, 15 addition issuing number For example, take place outer continental shelf. 43 1333 (a)(1); 33 pt. 142 And true would, But case: namely, dangers oil-drilling Simply pertaining classes mean pre-empted. (b)(1) (pre-emption (emphasis added)). case, "exercise[d]" §4(b)(1).9 16 think equally term defined definition: State," (a), namely Louisiana. Nothing text areas support reading provision includes State's waters: covers Outer Continental Shelf, sensibly attached thereto. Cf. (a)(1). 17 Accordingly, judgment 18 so ordered. 19 Scalia Notes Unless otherwise noted, Code references 1994 edition. 4(a) provides "This chapter employment performed workplace State, District Columbia, Commonwealth Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Trust Territory Pacific Lake Island, Shelf lands Lands Johnston Canal Zone" (citation omitted). agencies, acting [§274 Atomic Energy 1954], According ALJ: 'exercise,' actual assertion will preempted actually citation alleges [respondent] plan. [Respondent] argue similar requirement enforced *3 (OSHRC Herman v. Tidewater Pacific, Inc., 160 1239 (CA9 1998); re Norfolk Dredging Co., 783 F.2d 1526 (CA11 1986); Donovan Red Star Marine Services, 739 774 (CA2 1984). Labor her Assistant Health, heads OSHA. 65 50017 Circuits least approaches "working conditions" A "hazard-based" approach, endorses, focuses "the physical environmental encountered employee" job. Brief Petitioner 24; 774, 779-780 "area-based" approach "area employee customarily about his daily tasks." Southern R. Co. Comm'n, 539 335, 339 (CA4 1976). need choose between interpretations, case definition term. following categories (1) freight (2) nautical school (3) offshore supply (4) passenger (5) sailing (6) seagoing barges. (7) motor (8) small (9) steam (10) tank (11) fish processing (12) tender (13) Great Lakes (14) spill provisions themselves worth noting, §4(b)(1)'s comports fundamental purpose: "to assure far possible every man woman Nation safe healthful conditions." (b). declared oral argument, would toilets nothing more, 20. Such large gaps plainly inconsistent purpose

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