OSHA-Approved Workplace Safety Programs: A Statewide Breakdown
Written by Staff Writer | Edited by Michael Purser
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) designs national rules to create safe workplaces and prevent injuries. Those aren’t the only rules employers might have to follow. While federal standards set the baseline, individual states have the authority to create their own regulations, known as State Plans, which can either align with or exceed national standards.
This guide will help you understand how many states have their own OSHA plans and details about them. Discover how regulations differ, how these variations affect employers and how to determine which set of rules governs your workplace.
Federal Regulations
Federal regulations are found under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which covers labor and workplace safety laws. These laws set out a minimum set of standards that employers must follow.
Regulations cover a wide range of workplace hazards, including:
- Machinery safeguards
- Workplace ergonomics
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Hazard identification
- Training requirements
Failure to adhere to safety provisions can lead to costly fines and lawsuits.
What Are OSHA-Approved State Plans?
Not every location in the United States follows federal regulations directly. Some areas have their own policies that meet or exceed national standards. A total of 22 states and territories have OSHA-approved plans that cover private employers and state-level government agencies. They are:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wyoming
State Plans are subject to approval by the federal government to ensure they meet the basic requirements of worker protection outlined in 29 CFR. However, regulations often go beyond the federal baseline, providing extra safety measures or responding to specific local hazards.
Nine locations have custom regulations that cover only state and local government workers:
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Virgin Islands
All other states rely on the national rules alone.
Key Differences Between Federal and State Plans
Local safety and health plans go above and beyond the minimum. For instance, California’s Cal/OSHA often sets more demanding standards, especially in areas like workplace ergonomics, heat illness prevention (especially for agricultural workers) and exposure to harmful chemicals. The Golden State also provides extra rules for seismic protection and earthquake hazards, which are much more common in California. Can you see how these standards create a safer worksite in CA?
Some plans implement industry-specific guidelines that reflect local priorities. For example, in Washington, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries(L&I) enforces stricter regulations for logging, fishing and agriculture industries to protect the natural grandeur of the Pacific Northwest. Similarly, Michigan’s plan addresses the automotive manufacturing industry, which is a major economic driver in the region.
State-specific regulations differ significantly from one another. For example, Minnesota requires greater use of respirators in workplaces while Michigan has additional requirements for employees working around hazardous substances. While both satisfy national laws, their individual priorities vary.
How to Find an OSHA Plan Near You
You can use the list above to see if your location has its own plan. For a more detailed list of State Plans and their coverage details, you can click on your state on the Administration’s website to find your state’s resources. You can also check with the Department of Labor where you operate.
Why the Differences Matter: Impact on Employers and Workers
Both federal and state agencies enforce regulations, but penalties and enforcement practices may differ. Jurisdictions may adopt independent enforcement strategies, establishing everything from the frequency of inspections to the severity of penalties for non-compliance. Specific State Plans may also call for more frequent fines or take stronger action against businesses that violate standards.
Employers should be proactive in educating their workforces about major provisions while ensuring that business practices meet or exceed those guidelines. Are you ready to protect your jobsite?
The Benefits of Safety Training
There are tangible reasons to get trained besides meeting legal obligations and getting the training needed for a job.
The impact on workers from on-the-job accidents can be devastating. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that each year, there are more than 222,000 preventable deaths and 62 million workplace injuries. NSC estimates these accidents cost more than $1.2 billion.
For businesses, workplace accidents can lead to fines, penalties and lawsuits. Fines can be in the tens of thousands of dollars per violation or up to $165,514 for violations deemed willful or repeated. Accidents can create significant liability, shutting down worksites and delaying projects.
Workplace incidents also drive higher workers’ compensation claims and increases in insurance policies. In some cases, even a single incident can increase premiums by 20% or higher.
Businesses also often overlook the indirect costs, such as:
- Lost productivity
- Decreased employee morale
- Difficulty retaining workers
- Costs of replacing workers
- Harm to reputation
- Potential loss of business
Business owners can reduce the potential for accidents, create safer environments and reduce liability by providing the proper education for employees.
Get Trained on Safety Regulations and State-Approved Plans
OSHA Education Center offers several ways for employers, supervisors and workers to easily complete the necessary training to comply with federal rules and state laws. We offer online training programs that meet specific requirements for locations like California, Nevada and North Carolina.
10-hour and 30-hour training courses are available for general industry and construction. Each course can be completed online on your own schedule. Courses are designed with learners in mind and follow an easy-to-use format, including real-world scenarios to help students apply what they learn to sharpen skills and prevent accidents in the workplace.
You can access courses 24/7 from any internet-connected device. You can also choose to break up training sessions however you like. When you log back in, the training will remember where you left off. Upon completion, you can instantly download a certificate of completion.
A Note About Certification
It’s important to note that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not approve any training or provide certification. Neither organizations nor individuals can be OSHA-certified, even though people commonly use the term. However, these courses cover the relevant training standards for each industry and comply with educational standards for each subject area.
California
Cal/OSHA education is valuable for almost every employee in California, including CA and local government employees. Training includes an introduction to national and state rules, employer responsibilities, workers’ rights, injury and illness prevention and more.
Nevada
Almost all Nevada businesses must comply with safety and health requirements in the Nevada plan. Training includes topics such as national and Nevada regulations, written safety programs, use of machinery, workplace violence prevention and more.
North Carolina
Most businesses in North Carolina also have a responsibility to meet federal and NC plan regulations. Training includes federal and North Carolina restrictions, hazardous waste protocols, emergency response, communication, use of explosives, bloodborne pathogens and access to medical records.
New York City Site Safety Training
Some counties or cities have their own training requirements. New York City has Local Law 196, which requires workers and supervisors on construction sites to earn a Site Safety Training (SST) card. The coursework needed varies depending on job title, duties and past training experience.
You can satisfy your NYC Local Law 196 requirements through NYC SST training.
Creating Safer Workplace Environments
Employers and employees are both responsible for understanding safety regulations. Do you need more help to understand how many states have their own OSHA plans?
We can help you find the right training for your state, your job and your career goals. Browse our course catalog to find the perfect course or contact us directly for more information. Sign up and get started today!