# 29 CFR § 1986.100: Purpose and scope

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.100

## Section

- **Citation:** 29 CFR § 1986.100
- **Heading:** Purpose and scope
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 29—Labor > Subtitle B—Regulations Relating to Labor > CHAPTER XVII—OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR > PART 1986—PROCEDURES FOR THE HANDLING OF RETALIATION COMPLAINTS UNDER THE EMPLOYEE PROTECTION PROVISION OF THE SEAMAN'S PROTECTION ACT (SPA), AS AMENDED > Subpart A—Complaints, Investigations, Findings, and Preliminary Orders

## Text

(a) This part sets forth the procedures for, and interpretations of, the Seaman's Protection Act (SPA), 46 U.S.C. 2114, as amended, which protects a seaman from retaliation because the seaman has engaged in protected activity pertaining to compliance with maritime safety laws and accompanying regulations. SPA incorporates the procedures, requirements, and rights described in the whistleblower provision of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA), 49 U.S.C. 31105.
(b) This part establishes procedures pursuant to the statutory provisions set forth above for the expeditious handling of retaliation complaints filed by seamen or persons acting on their behalf. These rules, together with those rules codified at 29 CFR part 18, set forth the procedures for submission of complaints, investigations, issuance of findings and preliminary orders, objections to findings, litigation before administrative law judges (ALJs), post-hearing administrative review, withdrawals and settlements, and judicial review and enforcement. In addition, the rules in this part provide the Secretary's interpretations on certain statutory issues.

## Nearby sections

- [29 CFR § 1986.100 § 1986.100 Purpose and scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.100.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.101 § 1986.101 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.101.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.102 § 1986.102 Obligations and prohibited acts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.102.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.103 § 1986.103 Filing of retaliation complaints.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.103.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.104 § 1986.104 Investigation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.104.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.105 § 1986.105 Issuance of findings and preliminary orders.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.105.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.106 § 1986.106 Objections to the findings and the preliminary order and request for a hearing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.106.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.107 § 1986.107 Hearings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.107.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.108 § 1986.108 Role of Federal agencies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.108.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.109 § 1986.109 Decisions and orders of the administrative law judge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.109.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.110 § 1986.110 Decision and orders of the Administrative Review Board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.110.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.111 § 1986.111 Withdrawal of SPA complaints, findings, objections, and petitions for review; settlement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.111.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.112 § 1986.112 Judicial review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.112.md)
- [29 CFR § 1986.113 § 1986.113 Judicial enforcement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.113.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-29-1986.100. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.