Federal OSHA applies
Private-sector employers in Texas are covered by federal OSHA standards — the same 29 CFR Part 1910 (general industry) and 29 CFR Part 1926 (construction) standards that apply across most of the country.
No state plan for private employers
Unlike California, Washington, or Michigan, Texas does not operate a comprehensive OSHA State Plan for private-sector workers. The Texas Department of Insurance's Division of Workers' Compensation operates some safety programs but is not an OSHA enforcement agency.
OSHA Area Offices in Texas
Federal OSHA enforces workplace safety in Texas through Area Offices in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston (North and South), Lubbock, and San Antonio. The Houston offices have some of the highest inspection rates in the country given the concentration of petrochemical and construction activity.
Oil and gas sector
Texas has one of the highest concentrations of oil and gas workers in the country. Federal OSHA's process safety management (PSM) standard (29 CFR 1910.119) applies to facilities using covered highly hazardous chemicals above threshold quantities — a significant compliance obligation for many Texas employers.
Heat illness
Texas outdoor workers face extreme heat for much of the year. Federal OSHA enforces heat illness prevention through the General Duty Clause. No Texas-specific state heat standard currently exists, but federal enforcement is active and increasing.
Construction activity
Texas has enormous construction activity. Federal OSHA's construction standards apply in full. The OSHA 10-Hour card is not legally required for construction workers in Texas at the state level, but many general contractors require it contractually.