How Many States Have Their Own OSHA Plans?

Currently, 22 states and one territory have their own OSHA-approved state plans that cover both private sector and state/local government workers.

These states 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, and Wyoming.

Additionally, seven states and one territory have State Plans that only cover state and local government workers: Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, U.S. Virgin Islands.

How State Plans Differ from Federal OSHA

Each state plan must be at least as effective as federal OSHA regulations and may include more stringent standards or additional industry-specific requirements.

For example, states like California have additional workplace safety mandates. Employers should review California Labor Laws to understand state-specific OSHA regulations.

Why State Plans Matter for Employers and Workers

State plans allow for localized enforcement of OSHA regulations, which can result in:

✔ Stricter worker protections in high-risk industries.
✔ More frequent safety inspections and hazard prevention programs.
✔ Faster responses to state-specific construction workplace safety concerns.

Ensuring Compliance with State OSHA Plans

Businesses operating in state-plan states must ensure they comply with both state and federal safety regulations.

Pro Tips

📑 Employers can use Construction Daily Reports to track workplace incidents and OSHA compliance in state-regulated environments.

📊 Supervisors can also benefit from Daily Report Templates to maintain organized documentation of safety training and inspections.

References