Preventing PFAS exposure at sea: Safety tips for seamen and employer responsibilities

As of the first safety survey after that date, owners and operators must replace PFOS-based foams with compliant alternatives and dispose of the prohibited foams safely. Employers are facing new obligations, and seamen are being protected from toxic chemicals that they have been exposed to for decades.

PFOS, a type of PFAS known for environmental persistence and health concerns, must be eliminated from both fixed fire-extinguishing systems and portable firefighting equipment. A ship's owner or manager should conduct an audit of its onboard firefighting systems to identify PFAS-containing foams and remove them before regulatory deadlines. PFOS-containing foam must be safely disposed of and replaced by compliant extinguishing media.

Employer responsibilities under maritime safety standards

Authoritative technical guidance recommends approaching PFAS exposure prevention using a hierarchy of exposure controls. Elimination and substitution come first. Employers should remove AFFF where possible and switch to PFAS-free alternatives such as fluorine-free foams, ensuring systems are suitable for vessel needs before deployment.

Engineering and administrative controls provide the next layer of protection. Whenever possible, runoff should be contained, and foam should not be released directly into the sea, decks, or shipboard drains. Records of foam usage must be maintained meticulously for training and incident reviews. Procedures should ensure that AFFF is only used in actual emergencies, not routine training, minimizing unnecessary exposures.

Personal protective equipment serves as the last line of defense when exposures cannot be eliminated. PPE, such as self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or positive pressure respirators, gloves, and protective clothing, is recommended when applying or cleaning foam.

Employers have a duty to train maritime workers on PFAS foam hazards and appropriate PPE application. Documentation protocols should record each instance of foam use with details on when, where, and under what circumstances the deployment occurred. Maintaining comprehensive records of system inspections, foam applications, training activities, and disposal procedures strengthens compliance and safeguards crew health. The IMO PFOS prohibition of 2026 requires updated inventories and certifications for firefighting systems.

Under the Jones Act, employers are liable when they fail to provide adequate safety protocols or personal protective equipment (PPE) to mariners who are injured by hazardous chemicals, such as AFFF-related PFAS. Employers can be found negligent if they fail to provide proper personal protective equipment (PPE), enforce safe work procedures, and comply with evolving regulatory standards. Failure to mitigate PFAS hazards despite knowing or should have known about them strengthens compensation claims.

Personal protective equipment for seamen

For the safe application or cleanup of foam aerosols with PFAS, occupational health guides recommend wearing SCBAs or supplied air respirators. Protect your skin from foam and contaminated water by wearing chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, boots, and overalls.

Before reusing turnout gear and breathing apparatus after PFAS foam use, clean and decontaminate them thoroughly to prevent cross-contamination or carry-home exposure. Contaminated PPE should be removed after operations and bagged. You should take a shower as soon as possible after an incident involving PFAS foams. Keep contaminated uniforms and equipment out of living quarters and food areas.

Even though blood testing for PFAS isn't yet routinely recommended for general clinical management, physicians may advise exposure assessment for workers with a known exposure history.

Safer alternatives to AFFF

Fluorine-free foams (F3) are being adopted in many jurisdictions as replacements for PFAS-based AFFF, including in military and airport contexts, to reduce health and environmental risks. Research and evaluations by agencies such as the Department of Defense emphasize substitution where foam use is required. Although fluorine-free foams may not be suitable for all fire scenarios, transitioning outdated AFFF stocks to modern PFAS-free solutions is a recognized prevention strategy.

ELG Law can help seamen hold employers accountable

In the event you develop cancer after being exposed to PFAS aboard vessels and your employer failed to provide adequate protective equipment, warnings, or safety protocols, you may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act. The Environmental Litigation Group has been representing toxic exposure victims for over 35 years. For more information about filing a Jones Act claim, please contact us today.