Introduction
In this post, we will be discussing about OSHA State Plans.
- Section 1: What is an OSHA State Plan?
- Section 2: How does the enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act differ between federal and State government?
- Section 3: What are the requirements for a State to develop an OSHA plan?
- Section 4: How does an employer comply with both federal and State safety regulations?
Is OSHA In Every State?
OSHA is in every State, but not every State has an OSHA plan.
The Federal Plan covers all 50 States and the District of Columbia.
Some States have separate plans that cover only certain industries or types of workplaces within their borders. These include: Alaska, Arizona (State), California (State), Connecticut (State), Hawaii (State), Iowa (State), Kansas (State), Louisiana (State), Maryland (State), Massachusetts (State), Michigan (State), Minnesota(the Iron Range) Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey North Dakota Oregon South Carolina Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
How Do OSHA State Plans Work?
OSHA State plans are a way for States to implement and enforce OSHA standards. State plans are based on federal OSHA standards, but they can choose to adopt the federal OSHA standards or create their own. States must meet the same requirements as federal OSHA in order to be designated as an approved State plan, including having adequate resources and OSHA training programs in place.
There are currently 23 States with approved plans: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California (see below), Colorado, Connecticut (see below), Florida (see below), Hawaii (see below), Illinois (see below), Indiana (see below), Iowa(see below), Kansas(see below), Kentucky( see below ), Louisiana( see below ), Maryland( see below ), Massachusetts( see below ), Michigan( see below ), Minnesota( see below ), Mississippi Missouri Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming.
How Many States Have Their Own OSHA Plans?
There are currently 28 States that have their own OSHA plans. Of these, 14 are approved by the federal government and 14 are not.
If you work in a State that has its own plan, it’s important to know which one applies to your industry. For example: if you work in New York City and live in Suffolk County on Long Island (both part of NYS), then your State has two different OSHA programs — one for New York City and another for Long Island/Suffolk County. Both of these areas follow different rules and regulations when it comes to safety training requirements for employees who enter hazardous environments like construction sites or manufacturing facilities where chemicals may be used; therefore it’s essential that employers provide appropriate training based on whether their facility falls under NYC or Long Island jurisdiction!
What States Have OSHA-Approved State Plans?
As of July 22, 2019, there are 36 OSHA-approved State plans in the United States that cover private and public sector employees. These States have the authority to inspect workplaces within their borders, issue citations and impose penalties for violations of federal OSHA regulations. The following list shows which States have OSHA-approved State plans:
- Alabama (AL)
- Alaska (AK)
- Arizona (AZ)
- Arkansas (AR)
California (CA) Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming.
Do You Need State-Specific OSHA Training?
As you can see, the answer to whether or not you need State-specific OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training depends on your situation. If you’re an employer and have employees who travel between multiple States, then it’s definitely worth looking into a State plan. But if your business is located only in one location, or if all of your employees stay within the same area (and therefore don’t need additional training), then there isn’t much benefit to having a State plan over just following federal regulations.
If you’re still unsure whether or not it makes sense for your company to join an OSHA plan, we recommend speaking with an expert at [firm name] who can help guide their clients through this process.
This article discusses OSHA State plans.
OSHA is the federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards. OSHA State plans are programs that allow States to set and enforce their own workplace safety standards, which can be more stringent than those set by OSHA. States can develop their own plans or join other States in regional partnerships.
State plans are not required; each State decides whether it wants to have one or not. In addition, employers under federal jurisdiction cannot choose between being covered by a federal or State plan; they must follow whichever law applies to their industry (i.e., either OSHA’s regulations or those established by an approved State plan).
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you get a better understanding of OSHA State plans and what they mean for your business. If you’re still unsure about whether or not your State has an OSHA-approved plan in place, there are two ways to find out: ask your HR department or contact the Department of Labor directly by phone or email (contact information can be found here).
