Not all states operate under federal OSHA. 22 states and territories have their own OSHA-approved State Plans with standards that may differ from federal rules. Find your state's requirements below.
22 states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved State Plans. Their standards must be at least as effective as federal OSHA — and many exceed federal requirements. Federal OSHA has no enforcement jurisdiction in these states for covered employers. Examples: California, Washington, Michigan, Oregon, North Carolina.
In the remaining states, federal OSHA has direct enforcement authority. Employers follow 29 CFR Parts 1910, 1926, and other federal standards directly. Some federal OSHA states (like New York) have state laws that add requirements on top of federal OSHA for specific topics. Examples: Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio.
// State Guides
Cal/OSHA has significantly higher penalties than federal OSHA, a mandatory IIPP requirement, and one of the country's most detailed heat illness prevention standards.
View California Guide → Federal OSHATexas follows federal OSHA for private employers. Home to major petrochemical, construction, and oil and gas industries with significant OSHA enforcement activity.
View Texas Guide → Federal OSHA (Private)Private employers follow federal OSHA. New York requires OSHA 10 cards on public works construction, and New York City has its own Site Safety Training requirements.
View New York Guide → Federal OSHAFlorida follows federal OSHA for all employers. Active enforcement in construction and agriculture. No state heat standard but increasing federal heat enforcement activity.
View Florida Guide → State Plan (WISHA)Washington's WISHA State Plan is enforced by the Department of Labor and Industries. Includes a comprehensive outdoor heat rule and active fall protection enforcement.
View Washington Guide → Federal OSHAFederal OSHA covers private employers. Active enforcement through Chicago-area offices. No statewide OSHA 10 requirement though some local/project requirements exist.
View Illinois Guide → State Plan (MIOSHA)MIOSHA covers all employers. Requires written Safety and Health Management Programs. Free confidential consultation services available through OCET.
View Michigan Guide → State Plan (OR-OSHA)OR-OSHA covers all employers. Has a comprehensive heat rule covering both indoor and outdoor workers at 80°F — stricter than federal requirements.
View Oregon Guide → State Plan (NC DOL)NC OSH covers all employers. Generally adopts federal standards with a ~6 month lag. Large agricultural workforce with active enforcement in poultry and tobacco.
View North Carolina Guide →Virginia, Minnesota, Georgia, Arizona, and other states with active enforcement programs are in development. Check back for updates.
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, and the Virgin Islands operate OSHA-approved State Plans covering private sector employers. New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut, and Maine operate State Plans covering only public (government) sector employees — private employers in these states fall under federal OSHA.
Our free compliance checklists are based on OSHA standards that apply in every state.
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