Portsmouth runs on two genuinely different workforces that happen to share a zip code. On one side is the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, employing thousands of skilled trades workers in heavy industrial submarine maintenance. On the other is the Pease International Tradeport, a redeveloped former Air Force base now home to hundreds of companies in biotech, life sciences, and professional services. At Granite State Insurance and Risk Management, we help Portsmouth employers build Workers’ Compensation coverage suited to whichever side of that divide they fall on.
Two Workforces, One Town
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employs roughly 6,800 civilian workers across more than 20 skilled trades, engineering groups, and quality assurance teams — heavy industrial work involving submarine maintenance and modernization. Just a few miles away, the Pease International Tradeport houses over 150 businesses employing thousands more, including biotech and life sciences companies like Lonza Biologics and Novocure, alongside professional services firms like Liberty Mutual. Four of Portsmouth’s ten largest employers are located at the Tradeport.
These aren’t variations on a theme — they’re fundamentally different labor environments, and treating them the same for Workers’ Compensation purposes would shortchange one side or the other.
Common Risks by Workforce
Shipyard and heavy industrial trades (submarine maintenance, modernization, and related skilled trades):
- Machinery and equipment-related injuries across more than 20 skilled trade disciplines
- Confined-space work hazards specific to submarine maintenance environments
- Hearing loss claims from sustained exposure to industrial noise
- Falls, struck-by, and caught-in/between incidents common to heavy industrial maintenance work
Tradeport biotech, life sciences, and professional services:
- Laboratory and biosafety exposure — chemical handling, biological materials, and specialized equipment specific to biologics and life sciences production
- Ergonomic and repetitive strain injuries from office and lab-adjacent computer work
- Slip-and-fall injuries in office and lab common areas
Why This Matters for Coverage
An employer contracting or subcontracting shipyard-adjacent trades work faces an entirely different claims profile than a biotech firm at the Tradeport — different injury types, different severity levels, and different classification codes. Portsmouth businesses that touch both worlds (contractors serving the shipyard while also maintaining office staff, for example) should make sure their policy properly separates and classifies each type of exposure.
What Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Workers’ Compensation Insurance provides financial protection for employees who are injured or become ill while performing job duties. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and more, ensuring your employees receive proper care while protecting your business from costly legal claims.
New Hampshire mandates coverage for most employers with employees under NH RSA 281-A.
Who Needs Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Portsmouth?
Whether you’re a skilled trades contractor serving the shipyard, a biotech or life sciences company at the Tradeport, or a professional services firm downtown, if you have employees in Portsmouth, you’re required to carry Workers’ Compensation coverage.
Why Choose Granite State Insurance and Risk Management?
As an independent insurance agency, we help Portsmouth employers:
- Understand state requirements and ensure full compliance
- Select appropriate coverage for heavy industrial, lab/biotech, or professional services exposure
- Access multiple carriers to find competitive options
- Receive local support for claims, policy changes, and risk management
Frequently Asked Questions
Are confined-space injuries common in shipyard-adjacent trades work covered under Workers’ Compensation? Yes, injuries sustained while performing job duties, including confined-space work, are covered. Given the specialized nature of this work, it’s worth discussing specific safety and classification needs with your agent.
How is coverage classified for biotech and life sciences lab work at the Tradeport? Lab-based roles typically carry distinct classification codes reflecting exposure to chemicals, biological materials, and specialized equipment — different from standard office classifications.
We contract with the shipyard but also have office staff — do we need separate coverage categories? Yes, job classifications should reflect actual duties performed. A single policy can typically cover both, provided each role is properly classified.
Is hearing loss from industrial noise exposure covered under Workers’ Compensation? Yes, occupational hearing loss resulting from sustained workplace noise exposure is generally covered, though it often requires specific documentation.
Contact us today for a custom Workers’ Compensation quote and guidance on New Hampshire compliance.
