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Occupational Safety & Health State Plan Association
May 23, 2006
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 authorized states to administer their own
occupational safety and health programs as long as those programs are at least as effective as
federal OSHA. Twenty-six states and territories operate State Plans, twenty-two of which cover
both private and public sector employment while three states and one territory cover public sector
employment only.
The Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association (OSHSPA) represents all of the states
and U.S. territories that run their own occupational safety and health programs. The OSHSPA State
Plan States share a common goal: a safe and healthful workplace for every worker through
prevention of injuries, illnesses and fatalities on the job.
Collaboration among states, federal OSHA, employers and employees is a key factor in success. The
states and territories have often led the way in developing innovative approaches to making
America's workplaces safer and healthier. Through a combination of targeted enforcement and
outreach services, State Plan States are helping employers realize that protecting their workers
is a sound business decision. Safe workplaces contribute to the economic vitality of America.
In this report, we describe innovative approaches to outreach and education, voluntary compliance,
inspection targeting and cooperative programs that have been developed by the states. All of the
statistical data and program-related information is current for the most recent federal fiscal
year.
OSHSPA members and federal OSHA will continue to work in partnership for the safety and health of
this nation's workers.
Sincerely,
Douglas J. Kalinowski
OSHSPA Chair |
Chair
Stephen Cant
Washington
Department of Labor and Industries
WISHA Services Division
P.O. Box 44600
Olympia, WA 98504
360.902.9166 Phone
360.902.5619 Fax
Vice Chair
Vicky Heza
California
Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
2100 E. Katella Ave. Ste.215
Anaheim, CA 92806
714.939.8093 Phone
Past Chair
Douglas J. Kalinowski
Michigan
Department of Labor & Economic Growth
Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration
P.O. Box 30643
Lansing, MI 48909
517.322.1814 Phone
517.322.1775 Fax
Directors
Kevin Beauregard
North Carolina
Grey Mitchell
Alaska
John Winkler
Tennessee
Jay Withrow
Virginia |
| U.S. Department of Labor |
Assistant Secretary for
Occupational Safety and Health
Washington, D.C. 20210 |
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It gives me great pleasure to write the introductory letter to the
Occupational Safety and Heath State Plan Association's 2005 edition of Grassroots Workplace
Protection. This year's report documents the significant contributions made by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration's 26 State plan partners to the protection of America's working men
and women.
Thirty-five years ago, OSHA was established in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970. Since then, workplace fatalities have been reduced by 60 percent and injury/illness
rates are down 40 percent. Yet last year, more than 5,000 people died on the job, and workplace
injuries, illnesses and fatalities cost the country more than $170 billion per year. OSHA and its
State partners have accomplished much, but clearly have much to do.
Together, OSHA and the States are finding new ways to communicate to employers that investing in
safety and health not only saves lives, but has positive economic value. Companies that implement
comprehensive safety and health programs reduce their injury and illness rates an average of 20
percent. Fewer injuries and illnesses mean lower workers' compensation costs, less lost work time
and greater productivity. Companies are more profitable, and more lives are saved.
The State plans have worked closely with OSHA over the years. I am impressed with the talent, ideas
and professionalism of our State plan partners, and their innovative approaches. Together, we have a
new opportunity to commit ourselves to conduct inspections and consultations with a high and
consistent quality. The result is a uniform message to employers and employees: employers and
responsible for the safety and health of their employees, and OSHA - Federal or State plan - is
there to enforce and to assist with compliance.
Together, we can and will continue to get the message out that it pays to invest in safety and
health - and more loved ones will come home from work safe and whole at the end of the day
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.
Table of Contents: 2005 OSHSPA Report
OSHSPA: states protecting workers
Workplace security: safeguarding the workplace
Strategic plans: focusing on performance
Customer service: increasing program satisfaction
Enforcement: targeting high-risk worksites
Safety and health programs
Site-specific targeting
State responsibility: Enhanced enforcement
Significant cases
Settlement agreements
Violation approach in cases involving death or serious injury
State initiatives: changing the work environment
An open forum about initiatives, including:
ergonomics, workplace violence, settlement agreements,
discrimination, multilingual communications, legislative issues, etc.
State innovations: technical advances
State incentives: promoting voluntary compliance
Voluntary protection programs
Partnerships and alliances
Training and education initiatives
State-plan directory
OSHSPA Board of Directors 2004 through 2005
Produced by:
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Occupational Safety and Health Division
Total copies printed: 1,500 Total cost: $?? Cost per copy: $??
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