Utah State Requirements

Utah State Plan for Workplace Safety and Health: Ensuring Safety and Compliance for Public and Private Sector Workers

The Utah state plan, approved by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), allows Utah to have its own occupational safety and health standards and enforcement mechanisms while maintaining a level of oversight and coordination with federal OSHA.

The key components of the Utah state plan include:

1. Standards and Regulations:

UOSH has developed its own set of safety and health standards that employers in the state must follow. These standards cover various industries and workplaces and are aimed at preventing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Utah's standards are comparable to the federal OSHA standards but may have some unique requirements specific to the state.

2. Inspections and Enforcement:

UOSH conducts inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with safety and health regulations. Inspections may be initiated based on complaints, referrals, targeted inspections, or as part of programmed activities. When violations are identified, UOSH may issue citations and penalties to employers who fail to address the identified hazards.

3. Consultation Services:

The UOSH program provides free consultation services to assist employers in identifying and correcting workplace hazards. These services are confidential and separate from enforcement activities. Employers can request consultations to improve their safety and health management systems and receive guidance on compliance with regulations.

4. Training and Education:

UOSH offers training programs and educational resources to employers, employees, and safety professionals. These initiatives aim to raise awareness of workplace hazards, promote safe work practices, and enhance overall safety and health knowledge in the state.

It's important to note that the information provided above is based on my knowledge cutoff in September 2021. Therefore, I recommend visiting the official website of the Utah Labor Commission or contacting their offices directly to obtain the most up-to-date and accurate information on the Utah Occupational Safety and Health (UOSH) program.

Coverage

Under the Utah Occupational Safety and Health (UOSH) state plan, the coverage extends to both public and private sector employers and employees in the state of Utah. The UOSH program is responsible for ensuring workplace safety and health by enforcing safety regulations and providing educational resources and consultation services.

The UOSH program covers a wide range of industries and workplaces, including but not limited to:

1. Construction:

This includes the construction of buildings, highways, bridges, tunnels, and other structures.

2. Manufacturing:

This covers industries involved in the production of goods, such as food processing, metalworking, chemical manufacturing, and more..

3. Healthcare:

UOSH regulations apply to hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

4. Agriculture:

This includes agricultural operations, farms, nurseries, and other agricultural workplaces.

5. General Industry:

UOSH covers various general industries, such as retail, warehousing, hospitality, and services.

6. Public Sector:

UOSH also has jurisdiction over state and local government workplaces, including public schools, government offices, and public utilities.

The Utah State Plan applies to private sector workplaces in the state with the exception of:

1. Maritime employment, including shipyard employment, marine terminals, and longshoring;

2. Contract workers and contractor-operated facilities engaged in United States Postal Service (USPS) mail operations;

3. Employment on Hill Air Force Base;

4. Employment at the United States Department of Energy's (DOE) Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserve to the extent that it remains a U.S. DOE facility;

5. Employment at the Tooele Army Depot which includes the Tooele Chemical Demilitarization Facility;

6. The enforcement of the field sanitation standard, 29 CFR 1928.110, and the enforcement of the temporary labor camps standard, 29 CFR 1910.142

7. All working conditions of aircraft cabin crewmembers onboard aircraft in operation.