August 25, 2006—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that it will approve plan amendments and certify the state of New York’s occupational safety and health plan for its public employees.
OSHA’s certification indicates that the state plan contains all the necessary structural elements (standards, statutory and regulatory authorities, and procedures) to operate a program for its public employees that is “at least as effective” as the federal program. Absent a state plan, state and local government employees are not covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
OSHA encourages states to develop and operate their own safety and health programs. While most state plans cover both private sector and public sector employees, New York is one of four jurisdictions that cover only public sector employees; the others are Connecticut, New Jersey, and the Virgin Islands. Private sector enforcement authority in the state of New York remains the responsibility of federal OSHA.
For more information visit OSHA.
