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OSHA 2098
2002 (Revised)
U.S. Department of Labor
Elaine L. Chao, Secretary
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary
Contents
Background
What are OSHA's inspection priorities?
How does a compliance officer prepare for the inspection?
What does the inspection process involve?
What are the results of an inspection?
How does the appeals process work?
OSHA Assistance, Services, and Products
OSHA Regional and Area Offices
OSHA-Approved Safety and Health Plans
OSHA Onsite Consultation Offices
Background
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the Act), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is authorized to conduct workplace inspections and investigations to determine whether employers are complying with standards issued by the agency for safe and healthful workplaces. OSHA also enforces Section 5(a)(1) of the I, known as the “General Duty Clause,” which requires that every working man and woman must be provided with a safe and healthful workplace.
Workplace inspections and investigations are conducted by OSHA compliance safety and health officers who are safety and health professionals trained in the disciplines of safety and industrial hygiene.
States administering their own occupational safety and health program through plans approved under section 18(b) of the Act must adopt standards and enforce requirements which are at least as effective as federal requirements. There are currently 26 states and territories with OSHA-approved safety and health plans: 23 covering the private and public (state and local government) sectors and 3 covering the public sector only. Plan states must adopt standards comparable to the federal standards within 6 months of a federal standard's issue. Although most states adopt standards identical to the federal standards and have similar inspection procedures -- including citations and penalties and employer and employee rights and responsibilities -- you should contact the state plan agency directly to determine if there are any different or additional state occupational safety and health requirements.
Inspections are always conducted without advance notice. There are, however, special circumstances under which OSHA may give notice to the employer, but such a notice will normally be less than 24 hours. These circumstances include the following:
- Imminent danger situations that require correction as soon as possible;
- Accident investigations where the employer has notified the agency of a fatality or catastrophe;
- Inspections that must take place after regular business hours or that require special preparation;
- Cases where notice is required to ensure that the employer and employee representative or other personnel will be present;
- Cases where an inspection must be delayed for more than 5 working days when there is good cause; and
- Situations in which the OSHA Area Director determines that advance notice would produce a more thorough or effective inspection.
What are OSHA'S inspection priorities?
Not all 111 million workplaces covered by the Act can be inspected immediately. The worst situations need attention first. OSHA, therefore, has established a system of inspection priorities.
Imminent danger
Imminent danger situations receive top priority. An imminent danger is any condition where there is reasonable certainty that a danger exists that can be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the danger can be eliminated through normal enforcement procedures.
If a compliance officer finds an imminent danger situation, he or she will ask the employer to voluntarily abate the hazard and remove endangered employees from exposure.
Should the employer fail to do this, OSHA, through the regional solicitor, may apply to the Federal District Court for an injunction prohibiting further work as long as unsafe conditions exist.
Catastrophes and fatal accidents
Second priority goes to the investigation of fatalities and accidents resulting in a death or hospitalization of three or more employees. The employer must report such catastrophes to OSHA within 8 hours. OSHA investigates to determine the cause of these accidents and whether existing OSHA standards were violated.
Complaints and referrals
Third priority goes to formal employee complaints of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions and to referrals from any source about a workplace hazard.
The Act gives each employee the right to request an OSHA inspection when the employee believes he or she is in imminent danger from a hazard or when he or she thinks that there is a violation of an OSHA standard that threatens physical harm. OSHA will maintain confidentiality if requested, inform the employee of any action it takes regarding complaints, and, if requested, hold an informal review of any decision not to inspect.
Programmed inspections
Next in priority are programmed inspections aimed at specific high-hazard industries, workplaces, occupations, or health substances, or other industries identified in OSHA's current inspection procedures. OSHA selects industries for inspection on the basis of factors such as the injury incidence rates, previous citation history, employee exposure to toxic substances, or random selection. OSHA also may develop special emphasis programs that are local, regional, or national in scope, depending on the distribution of the workplaces involved. OSHA normally will conduct comprehensive safety inspections in manufacturing in those establishments with lost-workday injury rates at or above the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) national rate for manufacturing currently in use by OSHA. States with their own occupational safety and health programs may use somewhat different systems to identify industries for inspection.
Followup inspections
A followup inspection determines if the employer has corrected previously cited violations. If an employer has failed to abate a violation, the compliance officer informs the employer that he or she is subject to “Failure to Abate” alleged violations. This involves proposed additional daily penalties until the employer corrects the violation.
How does a compliance officer prepare for the inspection?
A compliance officer represents the agency and is expected to demonstrate his or her knowledge and expertise in the safety and health field in a courteous and professional manner. Before the inspection, the compliance officer will become familiar with as many relevant facts as possible about the workplace, such as its inspection history, the nature of the business, and the particular standards that might apply. This preparation provides the compliance officer with a knowledge of the potential hazards and industrial processes that he or she may encounter and aids in selecting appropriate personal protective equipment for use against these hazards during the inspection.
What does the inspection process involve?
Inspector's credentials
When the OSHA compliance officer arrives at the establishment, he or she displays official credentials and asks to meet an appropriate employer representative. Employers should always ask to see the compliance officer's credentials.
Employers may verify the OSHA federal or state compliance officer credentials by calling the nearest federal or state OSHA office. Compliance officers may not collect a penalty at the time of the inspection or promote the sale of a product or service at any time; anyone who attempts to do so is impersonating a government inspector and the employer should contact the FBI or local law enforcement officials immediately.
Opening conference
In the opening conference, the compliance officer explains how the establishment was selected and what the likely scope of the inspection will be. The compliance officer also will ascertain whether an OSHA-funded consultation visit is in progress or whether the facility is pursuing or has received an inspection exemption through the consultation program; if so, the inspection may be limited or terminated.
The compliance officer explains the purpose of the visit, the scope of the inspection, and the standards that apply. The compliance officer gives the employer information on how to get a copy of applicable safety and health standards as well as a copy of any employee complaint that may be involved (with the employee's name deleted, if the employee requests anonymity).
The compliance officer asks the employer to select an employer representative to accompany the compliance officer during the inspection.
The compliance officer also gives an authorized employee representative the opportunity to attend the opening conference and accompany the compliance officer during the inspection. If a recognized bargaining agent represents the employees, the agent ordinarily will designate the employee representative to accompany the compliance officer. Similarly, if there is a plant safety committee, the employee members of that committee will designate the employee representative (in the absence of a recognized bargaining agent). Where neither employee group exists, the employees themselves may select an employee representative, or the compliance officer may determine if any employee suitably represents the interest of other employees.
The Act does not require an employee representative for each inspection. Where there is no authorized employee representative, however, the compliance officer must consult with a reasonable number of employees concerning safety and health matters in the workplace.
Walkthrough
After the opening conference, the compliance officer and accompanying representatives proceed through the establishment to inspect work areas for safety and health hazards.
The compliance officer determines the route and duration of the inspection. While talking with employees, the compliance officer makes every effort to minimize any work interruptions. The compliance officer observes safety and health conditions and practices; consults with employees privately, if necessary; takes photos, videotapes, and instrument readings; examines records; collects air samples; measures noise levels; surveys existing engineering controls; and monitors employee exposure to toxic fumes, gases, and dusts.
An inspection tour may cover part or all of an establishment, even if the inspection resulted from a specific complaint, fatality, or catastrophe. If the compliance officer finds a violation in open view, he or she may ask permission to expand the inspection.
The compliance officer keeps all trade secrets observed confidential.
The compliance officer consults employees during the inspection tour. He or she may stop and question workers, in private, about safety and health conditions and practices in their workplaces. Each employee is protected under the Act from discrimination by the employer for exercising his or her safety and health rights.
OSHA places special importance on posting and recordkeeping requirements. The compliance officer will inspect records of deaths, injuries, and illnesses that the employer is required to keep. He or she will check to see that a copy of the totals from the last page of OSHA Form Number 300 are posted as required and that the OSHA workplace poster (OSHA 3165), which explains employees' safety and health rights, is prominently displayed. Where records of employee exposure to toxic substances and harmful physical agents are required, the compliance officer will examine them for compliance with the recordkeeping requirements.
The compliance officer also requests a copy of the employer's Hazard Communication Program. Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, employers must establish a written, comprehensive communication program that includes provisions for container labeling, material safety data sheets, and an employee training program. The program must contain a list of the hazardous chemicals in each work area and the means the employer will use to inform employees of the hazards associated with these chemicals.
During the course of the inspection, the compliance officer will point out to the employer any unsafe or unhealthful working conditions observed. At the same time, the compliance officer will discuss possible corrective action if the employer so desires.
Some apparent violations detected by the compliance officer can be corrected immediately. When the employer corrects them on the spot, the compliance officer records such corrections to help in judging the employer's good faith in compliance. Although corrected, the apparent violations will serve as the basis for a citation and, if appropriate, a notice of proposed penalty. OSHA may reduce the penalties for some types of violations if they are corrected immediately.
Closing conference
At the conclusion of the inspection, the compliance officer conducts a closing conference with the employer, employees, and/or the employees' representative.
The compliance officer gives the employer and all other parties involved a copy of Employer Rights and Responsibilities Following an OSHA Inspection (OSHA 3000) for their review and discussion.
The compliance officer discusses with the employer all unsafe or unhealthful conditions observed during the inspection and indicates all apparent violations for which he or she may issue or recommend a citation and a proposed penalty. The compliance officer will not indicate any specific proposed penalties but will inform the employer of appeal rights.
During the closing conference, the employer may wish to produce records to show compliance efforts and provide information that can help OSHA determine how much time may be needed to abate an alleged violation.
When appropriate, the compliance officer may hold more than one closing conference. This is usually necessary when the inspection includes an evaluation of health hazards, after a review of additional laboratory reports, or after the compliance officer obtains additional factual evidence while concluding an accident investigation.
The compliance officer explains that OSHA area offices are full-service resource centers that inform the public of OSHA activities and programs. This includes information on new or revised standards, the status of proposed standards, comment periods, or public hearings. Additionally, area offices provide technical experts and materials and refer callers to other agencies and professional organizations as appropriate. The area offices promote effective safety and health programs through Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) and provide information about study courses offered at the OSHA Training Institute or its satellite locations nationwide.
If an employee representative does not participate in either the opening or the closing conference held with the employer, the compliance officer holds a separate discussion with the employee representative, if requested, to discuss matters of direct interest to employees.
What are the results of an inspection?
After the compliance officer reports findings, the Area Director determines whether he or she will issue citations and/or propose penalties.
Citations
Citations inform the employer and employees of the regulations and standards alleged to have been violated and of the proposed length of time set to correct alleged hazards. The employer will receive citations and notices of proposed penalties by certified mail. The employer must post a copy of each citation at or near the place a violation occurred for 3 days or until the violation is abated, whichever is longer.
Penalties
These are the types of violations that may be cited and the penalties that may be proposed:(1)
- Other-Than-Serious Violation -- A violation that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm. OSHA may assess a penalty from $0 to $1,000 for each violation. The agency may adjust a penalty for an other-than-serious violation downward by as much as 95 percent, depending on the employer's good faith (demonstrated efforts to comply with the Act), history of previous violations, and size of business.(2)
- Serious Violation -- A violation where there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result. OSHA assesses the penalty for a serious violation from $1,500 to $7,000 depending on the gravity of the violation. OSHA may adjust a penalty for a serious violation downward based on the employer's good faith, history of previous violations, and size of business.
- Willful Violation -- A violation that the employer intentionally and knowingly commits. The employer is aware that a hazardous condition exists, knows that the condition violates a standard or other obligation of the Act, and makes no reasonable effort to eliminate it. OSHA may propose penalties of up to $70,000 for each willful violation. The minimum willful penalty is $5,000.
An employer who is convicted in a criminal proceeding of a willful violation of a standard that has resulted in the death of an employee may be fined up to $250,000 (or $500,000 if the employer is a corporation) or imprisoned up to 6 months, or both. A second conviction doubles the possible term of imprisonment.(3)
- Repeated Violation -- A violation of any standard, regulation, rule, or order where, upon reinspection, a substantially similar violation is found and the original citation has become a final order. Violations can bring a fine or up to $70,000 for each such violation within the previous 3 years. To calculate repeated violations, OSHA adjusts the initial penalty for the size and then multiplies by a factor of 2, 5, or 10 depending on the size of the business.
- Failure-to-Abate -- Failure to correct a prior violation may bring a civil penalty of up to $7,000 for each day that the violation continues beyond the prescribed abatement date.
- Falsifying records, reports, or applications can, upon conviction, bring a criminal fine of $10,000 or up to 6 months in jail, or both.
- Violating posting requirements may bring a civil penalty of $7,000.
- Assaulting a compliance officer or otherwise resisting, opposing, intimidating, or interfering with a compliance officer in the performance of his or her duties is a criminal offense and is subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 and imprisonment for not more than 3 years.
How does the appeals process work?
Appeals by employees
If an employee complaint initiates an inspection, the employee or authorized employee representative may request an informal review of any decision not to issue a citation.
Employees may not contest citations, amendments to citations, proposed penalties, or lack of penalties. They may, however, contest the time allowed for abatement of a hazardous condition. They also may contest an employer's “Petition for Modification of Abatement,” which requests an extension of the proposed abatement period. Employees must contest the petition within 10 working days of its posting or within 10 working days after an authorized employee representative receives a copy.
Employees may request an informal conference with OSHA to discuss any issues raised by an inspection, citation, notice of proposed penalty, or employer's notice of intention to contest.
Appeals by employers
Within 15 working days of receiving a citation, an employer who wishes to contest must submit a written objection to OSHA. The OSHA Area Director forwards the objection to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), which operates independently of OSHA.
When issued a citation and notice of proposed penalty, an employer may request an informal meeting with OSHA's Area Director to discuss the case. OSHA encourages employers to have informal conferences with the Area Director if the employer has issues arising from the inspection that he or she wishes to discuss or provide additional information. The Area Director is authorized to enter into settlement agreements that revise citations and penalties to avoid prolonged legal disputes and result in speedier hazard abatement. (Alleged violations contested before OSHRC do not need to be corrected until the contest is ruled upon by OSHRC.)
Petition for modification of abatement
After receiving a citation, the employer must correct the cited hazard by the abatement date unless he or she contests the citation or abatement date. Factors beyond the employer's control, however, may prevent the completion of corrections by that date. In such a situation, the employer who has made a good-faith effort to comply may file a petition to modify the abatement date.
The written petition must specify the steps taken to achieve compliance, the additional time needed to comply, the reasons additional time is needed, and interim steps taken to safeguard employees against the cited hazard during the intervening period. The employer must certify that he or she posted a copy of the petition in a conspicuous place at or near each place where a violation occurred and that the employee representative received a copy of the petition.
Notice of Contest
If the employer decides to contest either the citation, the abatement period, or the proposed penalty, he or she has 15 working days from the time the citation and proposed penalty are received to notify the OSHA Area Director in writing. Failure to do so results in the citation and proposed penalty becoming a final order of the OSHRC without further appeal. An orally expressed disagreement will not suffice. This written notification is called a “Notice of Contest.”
Although there is no specific format for the Notice of Contest, it must clearly identify the employer's basis for filing -- the citation, notice of proposed penalty, abatement period, or notification of failure to correct violations.
The employer must give a copy of the Notice of Contest to the employees' authorized representative. If any affected employees are not represented by a recognized bargaining agent, the employer must post a copy of the notice in a prominent location in the workplace or give it personally to each unrepresented employee.
Review procedure
If the employer files a written Notice of Contest within the required 15 working days, the OSHA Area Director forwards the case to OSHRC. The commission is an independent agency not associated with OSHA or the Department of Labor. The commission assigns the case to an administrative law judge.
OSHRC may schedule a hearing at a public place near the employer's workplace. The employer and the employee have the right to participate in the hearing; the OSHRC does not require them to be represented by attorneys.
Once the administrative law judge has ruled, any party to the case may request a further review by OSHRC. Any of the three OSHRC commissioners also may, at his or her own motion, bring a case before the commission for review. Employers and other parties may appeal commission rulings to the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals.
Appeals in states and territories with OSHA-approved plans
States with their own occupational safety and health programs have a state system for review and appeal of citations, penalties, and abatement periods. The procedures are generally similar to Federal OSHA's, but a state review board or equivalent authority hears cases.
OSHA Assistance, Services, and Products
How can OSHA help me?
OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs, including assistance about safety and health programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary protection programs, strategic partnerships, training and education, and more.
Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines
Working in a safe and healthful environment can stimulate innovation and creativity and result in increased performance and higher productivity.
To assist employers and employees in developing effective safety and health management systems, OSHA published recommended Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (Federal Register 54(16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntary guidelines can be applied to all places of employment covered by OSHA.
The guidelines identify four general elements that are critical to the development of a successful safety and health management system. These are the following:
- Management leadership and employee involvement,
- Worksite analysis,
- Hazard prevention and control, and
- Safety and health training.
State programs
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and health plans. OSHA approves and monitors these plans. There are currently 26 state plans: 23 cover both private and public (state and local government) employment; 3 states, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York, cover the public sector only. States and territories with their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health plans must adopt and enforce standards identical to, or at least as effective as, the federal standards and provide extensive programs of voluntary compliance and technical assistance, including consultation services.
Consultation services
Consultation assistance is available on request to employers who want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. Funded largely by OSHA, the service is provided at no cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller employers with more hazardous operations, the consultation service is delivered by state governments employing professional safety and health consultants. Comprehensive assistance includes a hazard survey of the worksite and appraisal of all aspects of the employer's existing safety and health management system. In addition, the service offers assistance to employers in developing and implementing an effective safety and health management system. No penalties are proposed or citations issued for hazards identified by the consultant. The employer's only obligation is to correct all identified serious hazards within the agreed upon correction timeframe. OSHA provides consultation assistance to the employer with the assurance that his or her name and firm and any information about the workplace will not be routinely reported to OSHA enforcement staff.
Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers may request participation in OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation in SHARP includes, but is not limited to, receiving a full-service, comprehensive consultation visit, correcting all identified hazards, and developing an effective safety and health program management system.
Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption from programmed inspections (not complaint or accident investigation inspections) for a period of 1 year initially, or 2 years upon renewal. For more information concerning consultation assistance, see the list of consultation projects listed at the end of this publication.
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)
Voluntary Protection Programs and onsite consultation services, when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expand worker protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The three levels of VPP -- Star, Merit, and Demonstration -- are designed to recognize outstanding achievements by companies that have developed and implemented effective safety and health management systems. The VPPs motivate others to achieve excellent safety and health results in the same outstanding way as they establish a cooperative relationship between employers, employees, and OSHA.
For additional information on VPPs and how to apply, contact the OSHA regional offices listed at the end of this publication.
Strategic Partnership Program
OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program, the newest member of OSHA's cooperative programs, helps encourage, assist, and recognize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious workplace hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health. Whereas OSHA's Consultation Program and VPP entail one-on-one relationships between OSHA and individual worksites, most strategic partnerships seek to have a broader impact by building cooperative relationships with groups of employers and employees. These partnerships are voluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA, employers, employee representatives, and others such as trade unions, trade and professional associations, universities, and other government agencies.
For more information on this program, contact your nearest OSHA office, or visit OSHA's website at www.osha.gov.
Training and education
OSHA's area offices offer a variety of information services, such as compliance assistance, technical advice, publications, audiovisual aids, and speakers for special engagements. OSHA's Training Institute in Des Plaines, IL, provides basic and advanced courses in safety and health for federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, federal agency personnel, and private sector employers, employees, and their representatives.
The OSHA Training Institute also has established OSHA Training Institute Education Centers to address the increased demand for its courses from the private sector and from other federal agencies. These centers are nonprofit colleges, universities, and other organizations that have been selected after a competition for participation in the program.
OSHA awards grants through its Susan Harwood Training Grant Program to nonprofit organizations to provide safety and health training and education to employers and workers in the workplace. The grants focus on programs that will educate workers and employers in small business (fewer than 250 employees), training workers and employers about new OSHA standards or about high-risk activities or hazards. Grants are awarded for one year and may be renewed for an additional 12-month period depending on whether the grantee has performed satisfactorily.
OSHA expects each organization awarded a grant to develop a training and/or education program that addresses a safety and health topic named by OSHA, recruit workers and employers for the training, and conduct the training. Grantees are also expected to follow up with people who have been trained to find out what changes were made to reduce the hazards in their workplaces as a result of the training.
Each year OSHA has a national competition that is announced in the Federal Register and on the Internet at /dte/sharwood/index.html. For more information on grants, training, and education, contact the OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018; call (847) 297-4810, or see Outreach on OSHA's website at www.osha.gov.
Electronic information
OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on its website at www.osha.gov. These include e-Tools such as Expert Advisors and Electronic Compliance Assistance Tools (e-CATs), Technical Links, regulations, directives, publications, videos, and other information for employers and employees. OSHA's software programs and compliance assistance tools “walk” you through challenging safety and health issues and common problems to find the best solutions for your workplace.
OSHA's CD-ROM includes standards, interpretations, directives, and more and can be purchased on CD-ROM from the U.S. Government Printing Office. To order, write to the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, or phone (202) 512-1800. Specify OSHA Regulations, Documents and Technical Information on CD-ROM (ORDT), GPO Order No. S/N 729-013-00000-5. The price is $45 per year ($56.25 international); $21 per single copy ($26.25 international).
OSHA publications
OSHA has an extensive publications program. For a listing of free or sales items, visit OSHA's website at www.osha.gov or contact the OSHA Publications Office, U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA/OSHA Publications, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101, Washington, DC 20013-7535. Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498.
Emergencies, complaints, and further assistance
To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek OSHA advice, assistance, or products, call (800) 321- OSHA or contact your nearest OSHA regional, area, state plan, or consultation office listed at the end of this publication. The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.
You can also file a complaint online and obtain more information on OSHA federal and state programs by visiting OSHA's website at www.osha.gov.
OSHA Regional and Area Offices
OSHA Regional Offices
Region I
(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*)
JFK Federal Building, Room E340
Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-9860
Region II
(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)
201 Varick Street, Room 670
New York, NY 10014
(212) 337-2378
Region III
(DE, DC, MD,* PA,* VA,* WV)
The Curtis Center
170 S. Independence Mall
West Suite 740
West Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309
(215) 861-4900
Region IV
(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)
SNAF 61 Forsyth Street SW
Room 6T50
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 562-2300
Region V
(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)
230 South Dearborn Street,
Room 3244
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 353-2220
Region VI
(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)
525 Griffin Street, Room 602
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 767-4731 or 4736 x224
Region VII
(IA,* KS, MO, NE)
City Center Square
1100 Main Street, Suite 800
Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) 426-5861
Region VIII
(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)
1999 Broadway, Suite 1690
PO Box 46550
Denver, CO 80202-5716
(303) 844-1600
Region IX
(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* HI, NV,* Northern Mariana Islands)
71 Stevenson Street, Room 420
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 975-4310
Region X
(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)
1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715
Seattle, WA 98101-3212
(206) 553-5930
*These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job safety and health programs (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York plans cover public employees only). States with approved programs must have a standard that is identical to, or at least as effective as, the federal standard.
OSHA Area Offices
Anchorage, AK
(907) 271-5152
Birmingham, AL
(205) 731-1534
Mobile, AL
(251) 441-6131
Little Rock, AR
(501) 324-6291(5818)
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 640-2348
Sacramento, CA
(916) 566-7471
San Diego, CA
(619) 557-5909
Denver, CO
(303) 844-5285
Greenwood Village, CO
(303) 843-4500
Bridgeport, CT
(203) 579-5581
Hartford, CT
(860) 240-3152
Wilmington, DE
(302) 573-6518
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 424-0242
Jacksonville, FL
(904) 232-2895
Tampa, FL
(813) 626-1177
Savannah, GA
(912) 652-4393
Smyrna, GA
(770) 984-8700
Tucker, GA
(770) 493-6644/6742/8419
Des Moines, IA
(515) 284-4794
Boise, ID
(208) 321-2960
Calumet City, IL
(708) 891-3800
Des Plaines, IL
(847) 803-4800
Fairview Heights, IL
(618) 632-8612
North Aurora, IL
(630) 896-8700
Peoria, IL
(309) 671-7033
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 226-7290
Wichita, KS
(316) 269-6644
Frankfort, KY
(502) 227-7024
Baton Rouge, LA
(225) 389-0474 (0431)
Braintree, MA
(617) 565-6924
Methuen, MA
(617) 565-8110
Springfield, MA
(413) 785-0123
Linthicum, MD
(410) 865-2055/2056
August, ME
(207) 622-8417
Bangor, ME
(207) 941-8177
Portland, ME
(207) 780-3178
Lansing, MI
(517) 327-0904
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 664-5460
Kansas City, MO
(816) 483-9531
St. Louis, MO
(314) 425-4249
Jackson, MS
(601) 965-4606
Billings, MT
(406) 247-7494
Raleigh, NC
(919) 856-4770
Bismark, ND
(701) 250-4521
Omaha, NE
(402) 221-3182
Concord, NH
(603) 225-1629
Avenel, NJ
(732) 750-3270
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
(201) 288-1700
Marlton, NJ
(856) 757-5181
Parsippany, NJ
(973) 263-1003
Carson City, NV
(775) 885-6963
Albany, NY
(518) 464-4338
Bayside, NY
(718) 279-9060
Bowmansville, NY
(716) 684-3891
New York, NY
(212) 337-2636
North Syracuse, NY
(315) 451-0808
Tarrytown, NY
(914) 524-7510
Westbury, NY
(516) 334-3344
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 841-4132
Cleveland, OH
(216) 522-3818
Columbus, OH
(614) 469-5582
Toledo, OH
(419) 259-7542
Oklahoma City, OK
(405) 278-9560
Portland, OR
(503) 326-2251
Allentown, PA
(610) 776-0592
Erie, PA
(814) 833-5758
Harrisburg, PA
(717) 782-3902
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 597-4955
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 395-4903
Wilkes-Barre, PA
(570) 826-6538
Guaynabo, PR
(787) 277-1560
Providence, RI
(401) 528-4669
Columbia, SC
(803) 765-5904
Nashville, TN
(615) 781-5423
Austin, TX
(512) 916-5783 (5788)
Corpus Christi, TX
(361) 888-3420
Dallas, TX
(214) 320-2400 (2558)
El Paso, TX
(915) 534-6251
Fort Worth, TX
(817) 428-2470 (485-7647)
Houston, TX
(281) 591-2438 (2787)
Houston, TX
(281) 286-0583/0584 (5922)
Lubbock, TX
(806) 472-7681 (7685)
Salt Lake City, UT
(801) 530-6901
Norfolk, VA
(757) 441-3820
Bellevue, WA
(206) 553-7520
Appleton, WI
(920) 734-4521
Eau Claire, WI
(715) 832-9019
Madison, WI
(608) 264-5388
Milwaukee, WI
(414) 297-3315
Charleston, WV
(304) 347-5937
OSHA-Approved Safety and Health Plans
Juneau, AK
(907) 465-2700
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 542-5795
San Francisco, CA
(415) 703-5050
Wethersfield, CT
(860) 263-6505
Honolulu, HI
(808) 586-8844
Des Moines, IA
(515) 281-3447
Indianapolis, ID
(317) 232-2378
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 232-3325
Frankfort, KY
(502) 564-3070
Baltimore, MD
(410) 767-2215
Lansing, MI
(517) 322-1814
St. Paul, MN
(651) 284-5010
Raleigh, NC
(919) 807-2900
Trenton, NJ
(609) 292-2975
Santa Fe, NM
(505) 827-2850
Carson City, NV
(775) 684-7260
Salem, OR
(503) 378-3272
Hato Rey, PR
(787) 754-2119
Columbia, SC
(803) 896-4300
Nashville, TN
(615) 741-2582
Salt Lake City, UT
(801) 530-6901
Richmond, VA
(804) 786-2377
Christiansted, St. Croix, VI
(340) 773-1990
Montpelier VT
(802) 828-2288
Olympia, WA
(360) 902-4200
(360) 902-5430
Cheyenne, WY
(307) 777-7786
OSHA Onsite Consultation Offices
Alabama
(205) 348-3033
(205) 348-3049 FAX
Alaska
(907) 269-4957
(907) 269-4950 FAX
Arizona
(602) 542-1695
(602) 542-1614 FAX
Arkansas
(501) 682-4522
(501) 682-4532 FAX
California
(415) 703-5270
(415) 703-4596 FAX
Colorado
(970) 491-6151
(970) 491-7778 FAX
Connecticut
(860) 566-4550
(860) 566-6916 FAX
Delaware
(302) 761-8219
(302) 761-6601 FAX
District of Columbia
(202) 576-6339
(202) 576-7579 FAX
Florida
(813) 974-9962
Georgia
(404) 894-2643
(404) 894-8275 FAX
Guam
011 (671) 475-0136
011 (671) 477-2988 FAX
Hawaii
(808) 586-9100
(808) 586-9099 FAX
Idaho
(208) 426-3283
(208) 426-4411 FAX
Illinois
(312) 814-2337
(312) 814-7238 FAX
Indiana
(317) 232-2688
(317) 232-3790 FAX
Iowa
(515) 281-7629
(515) 281-5522 FAX
Kansas
(785) 296-7476
(785) 296-1775 FAX
Kentucky
(502) 564-6895
(502) 564-6103 FAX
Louisiana
(225) 342-9601
(225) 342-5158 FAX
Maine
(207) 624-6460
(207) 624-6449 FAX
Maryland
(410) 880-4970
(301) 483-8332 FAX
Massachusetts
(617) 727-3982
(617) 727-4581 FAX
Michigan
(517) 322-1809
(517) 322-1374 FAX
Minnesota
(612) 297-2393
(612) 297-1953 FAX
Mississippi
(601) 987-3981
(601) 987-3890 FAX
Missouri
(573) 751-3403
(573) 751-3721 FAX
Montana
(406) 444-6418
(406) 444-4140 FAX
Nebraska
(402) 471-4717
(402) 471-5039 FAX
Nevada
(702) 486-9140
(702) 990-0362 FAX
New Hampshire
(603) 271-2024
(603) 271-2667 FAX
New Jersey
(609) 292-3923
(609) 292-4409 FAX
New Mexico
(505) 827-4230
(505) 827-4422 FAX
New York
(518) 457-2238
(518) 457-3454 FAX
North Carolina
(919) 807-2905
(919) 807-2902 FAX
North Dakota
(701) 328-5188
(701) 328-5200 FAX
Ohio
(800) 282-1425 or
(614) 644-2631
(614) 644-3133 FAX
Oklahoma
(405) 528-1500
(405) 528-5751 FAX
Oregon
(503) 378-3272
(503) 378-5729 FAX
Pennsylvania
(724) 357-2396
(724) 357-2385 FAX
Puerto Rico
(787) 754-2171
(787) 767-6051 FAX
Rhode Island
(401) 222-2438
(401) 222-2456 FAX
South Carolina
(803) 734-9614
(803) 734-9741 FAX
South Dakota
(605) 688-4101
(605) 688-6290 FAX
Tennessee
(615) 741-7036
(615) 532-2997 FAX
Texas
(512) 804-4640
(512) 804-4641 FAX
OSHCON Request Line:
(800) 687-7080
Utah
(801) 530-6901
(801) 530-6992 FAX
Vermont
(802) 828-2765
(802) 828-2195 FAX
Virginia
(804) 786-6359
(804) 786-8418 FAX
Virgin Islands
(340) 772-1315
(340) 772-4323 FAX
Washington
(360) 902-5638
(360) 902-5459 FAX
West Virginia
(304) 558-7890
(304) 558-9711 FAX
Wisconsin (Health)
(608) 266-8579
(608) 266-9383 FAX
Wisconsin (Safety)
(262) 523-3040
(800) 947-0553
(262) 523-3046 FAX
Wyoming
(307) 777-7786
(307) 777-3646 FAX
Footnote 1 For more detailed information, see U.S. Department of Labor Program Highlights, Fact Sheet No. OSHA 91-36, “New OSHA Civil Penalties Policy.” It is available online at www.osha.gov. (Back to text)
Footnote 2 For a more detailed description of adjustment factors, see U.S. Department of Labor Program Highlights, Fact Sheet No. OSHA 91-36 and OSHA's voluntary Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. (Federal Register, Vol. 54, No. 16, January 26, 1989, pp. 3904-3916.) Both are available at www.osha.gov. (Back to text)
Footnote 3 For more information, see United States Code Annotated, Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedures 3331 to 4120, West Publishing Company, St. Paul, MN, 1991, pp. 53-54. (Back to text)