OSHA standards vary state to state. For the first time, a database accurately compares state and federal OSHA laws and regulations. On a website. For free.
In additional to federal OSHA standards, 25 states have their own OSHA laws and regulations. This complicates compliance.
In this podcast, hear how two non-government entities compiled all U.S. and state health and safety laws. The information is easily compared by various categories and jurisdictions.
The information free to the public. Links to the database are in the transcript of this podcast.
TRANSCRIPT:
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Dan Clark: Why do some states have their own OSHA when there’s a federal OSHA? Standards vary. Finally, there’s a database with an easy way to see the differences state to state.
Hi there, I’m Dan Clark of The Safety Brief, tackling health and safety hazards in today’s demanding industrial and construction worksites, a service of Creative Ssafety Supply. Oh, let me tug on your coat for a moment. Make an order at creativesafetysupply.com for money saver. Use coupon code Big10 to drop 10% from the total.
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When federal OSHA was created in 1970, Congress gave states the right to create their own—as long as the state programs are at least as effective as the federal. 25 states implemented their own, creating a patchwork of laws and regulations. It’s been confusing, until now.
A first-of-its-kind database is now online, free. And it’s thanks to an organization called Public Citizen, and folks at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Public Health Law Research program.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
(1:08)
• The database houses all state occupational safety and health standards. It includes the 25 states and two US territories.
• It lets users examine standards by state, and see a list of all standards in each state that go beyond federal OSHA requirements.
• It allows users to compare state requirements and federal requirements.
• Users can access standards in six categories:
◦ General Industry
◦ Construction
◦ Agriculture
◦ Maritime
◦ Oil and gas
◦ Mining
Once there, you’ll see a map of the states that have applicable laws.
(1:43)
WHO’S THIS DATABASE FOR?
Workers, employers, unions, safety advocates. . . the list goes on. Imagine a company that sets up shop in a new state. This is a big help for their launch.
SOME INTERESTING FACTOIDS FROM THE DATABASE:
• Some states have many more standards than others. The majority of state safety laws come from California, Michigan, Oregon and Washington.
• Many states have stricter PELs, Permissible Exposure Limits for hazardous chemicals, than federal OSHA.
(2:14)
• Only two states have combustible dust regulations, California and Utah.
How do you access this free database? Poke around at Citizen.org or LawAtlas.org to find them. If you’re stuck, see the transcript of this podcast at TheSafetyBrief.com for links.
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That’s all for this episode, Finally! Compare OSHA Standards State To State. Come back for more ways to stay safety compliant in today’s ever-changing landscape of safety requirements. I’m Dan Clark of The Safety Brief, a service of Creative Safety Supply. Save 10% off your entire order at creativesafetysupply.com with coupon code Big10.
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