OSHA-Approved State Plans
OSHA-approved State Plans are workplace safety and health programs operated by individual states or U.S. territories with oversight from Federal OSHA. These programs must maintain standards and enforcement that are at least as effective as Federal OSHA.
Many State Plans follow federal standards closely, but states may establish different or more stringent requirements or regulate hazards not specifically addressed by Federal OSHA. Employers must therefore comply with the requirements that apply in the state where work is performed.
What Do State Plans Do?
State Plans perform many of the same functions as Federal OSHA, including:
- Establishing and enforcing workplace safety and health standards.
- Conducting inspections and investigations.
- Issuing citations and penalties.
- Providing consultation, outreach, training, and education.
- Covering state and local government employees, who generally are not covered by Federal OSHA.
Some State Plans cover both private-sector and government employees, while others cover only state and local government workers.
State Requirements May Differ
Employers should not assume that meeting Federal OSHA requirements automatically satisfies every State Plan. State-specific standards may impose additional requirements, making it important to review applicable regulations when working in a State Plan jurisdiction.
Companies operating in multiple states should determine whether each workplace falls under Federal OSHA or an OSHA-approved State Plan and account for any additional state requirements.
