www.OSHA.gov	A-Z Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

<<< Back to Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association Printing Instructions   2008 OSHSPA Special Report: Impact and Funding of State OSH Plans Purpose The purpose of this document is to provide information to Congress and others on the impact and funding of state-operated programs for occupational safety and health. State Plan Programs are highly successful, but have experienced significant funding deficiencies for the past eight years.   CHART 1 Federal OSHA Budget (in millions of dollars) CHART 2 OSHA Budget for State Plans 23(g) (as percent of total OSHA budget) Text Version of Chart: Chart Title: CHART 1 - Federal OSHA Budget (in millions of dollars) Chart Type: Vertical Bar Graph Chart Elements: 8 - One bar for each year showing the Federal OSHA Budget in millions of dollars Values: 2001 = 425 2002 = 444 2003 = 450 2004 = 458 2005 = 464 2006 = 472 2007 = 487 2008 = 486 Text Version of Chart: Chart Title: CHART 2 - OSHA Budget for State Plans 23(g) (as percent of total OSHA budget) Chart Type: Vertical Bar Graph Chart Elements: 8 - One bar for each year showing the OSHA State Plans budget as a percent of the total OSHA budget Values: 2001 = 20.8 2002 = 20.2 2003 = 20.1 2004 = 20.1 2005 = 19.6 2006 = 19.3 2007 = 18.7 2008 = 18.4 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) In establishing OSHA, Congress specifically encouraged states to develop their own safety and health plans, which would provide enforcement and compliance assistance activities. Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed into law on December 29, 1970, authorized states to administer a state-operated program for occupational safety and health, provided the programs are "at least as effective" as federal OSHA. Congress envisioned a comprehensive national program that would provide safety and health protection in all U.S. states and territories. Prior to the creation of OSHA, many states were already operating programs to protect their workers. Today there are 26 states and territories that operate a State Plan Program for workplace safety and health, and work together through the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association (OSHSPA).   CHART 3 Contribution by State Plans (in millions of dollars) CHART 4 OSHA Funding for State Plans 23(g) and Impact of Inflation (in millions of dollars) Text Version of Chart: Chart Title: CHART 3 - Contribution by State Plans (in millions of dollars) Chart Type: Vertical Bar Graph Chart Elements: 7 - One bar for each year showing the Contribution by State Plans in millions of dollars Values: 2001 = 41.6 2002 = 40.7 2003 = 40.4 2004 = 37.7 2005 = 39.9 2006 = 46.7 2007 = 58.4 Text Version of Chart: Chart Title: CHART 4 - OSHA Funding for State Plans 23(g) and Impact of Inflation (in millions of dollars) Chart Type: Vertical Bar Graph Chart Elements: 15 - Two bars for each year showing the State Plan funding needed when adjusted for inflation Values: 2001 State Plan 23(g) Federal Dollars - Actual = 88 2002 State Plan 23(g) Federal Dollars - Actual = 90 Adjusted for Inflation - Needed to Maintain 2001 Funding = 91 2003 State Plan 23(g) Federal Dollars - Actual = 90 Adjusted for Inflation - Needed to Maintain 2001 Funding = 92 2004 State Plan 23(g) Federal Dollars - Actual = 92 Adjusted for Inflation - Needed to Maintain 2001 Funding = 94 2005 State Plan 23(g) Federal Dollars - Actual = 91 Adjusted for Inflation - Needed to Maintain 2001 Funding = 97 2006 State Plan 23(g) Federal Dollars - Actual = 91 Adjusted for Inflation - Needed to Maintain 2001 Funding = 100 2007 State Plan 23(g) Federal Dollars - Actual = 91 Adjusted for Inflation - Needed to Maintain 2001 Funding = 104 2008 State Plan 23(g) Federal Dollars - Actual = 90 Adjusted for Inflation - Needed to Maintain 2001 Funding = 106 State Plan OSHA Funding States choosing to operate a State Plan Program contribute a significant amount toward funding the program. Congress established a 50 percent funding level to encourage states to operate their own programs and to develop innovative approaches to workplace safety and health issues. Because states must provide at least a 50 percent match, every federal dollar is doubled − which multiplies OSHSPA state plan efforts. While Congress envisioned that the partnership between federal OSHA and the state plans would include federal funding of 50 percent of the costs − the federal portion for State Plan Programs has diminished significantly over the years. Some key issues: During the past eight years, federal funding has increased more than 14 percent − while state plan funding has increased only about one percent. (Charts 1 & 2)   States received 18.4 percent of the overall federal OSHA budget in FY 2008, compared to 20.8 percent in FY 2001. (Chart 2)   States are required to match federal funds. In addition, state plans states contributed “overmatch” funds of more than $46.7 million in FY 2006 and $58.4 million in FY 2007. (Chart 3)   The “real dollars” available to states have significantly decreased when considering inflation. Since 2001, the budget for the state plans has remained stagnant at about $91 million per year. In order to fund the same level of services in FY 2008, the budget would need to increase to $106 million. (Chart 4)   Initially, federal OSHA was able to fund states at a level up to 50 percent of the program costs. As program demands have increased, the states have not been provided the necessary federal OSHA financial resources to “keep up.” In FY 2008, the total OSHA budget (including State Plan funding) was reduced to $486 million from $486.9 million in FY 2007 (Chart 1). The overall reduction was $924,000 − yet State Plan States lost $1.59 million. This means OSHA realized an overall gain of $667,000 – while the states lost additional funds. Proposed Funding Solution A process must be established to accurately and fairly address the budgetary requirements of State Plan Programs. Funding for state plans is a separate line in the OSHA budget and must be specifically addressed. An increase in the OSHA budget does not increase the portion provided to state-operated programs. Federal OSHA does not involve the state plans in its budgetary process, or address declining state plan funding as a budget priority. Again in FY 2009 the state’s portion remains flat -while federal OSHA receives a proposed five percent increase. OSHSPA states are a Congressional success story, and are effective and efficient users of state and federal tax dollars. The strong partnership with OSHA has placed State Plan Programs in a perfect position to develop successful grassroots solutions with representatives of labor, industry, professional and academic organizations, and the public. At a minimum, State Plan Programs should be currently funded at an amount that would be in place had state plan funding kept pace with federal OSHA funding over the last several years. Based on the original intent of Congress and the output of the state plans, the long-term goal should be to reach full 50 percent funding. Impact of State Plan Programs State Plan Programs cover about 40 percent of private-sector workers nationally. In addition, they cover more than 10 million workers in the public sector, which includes state and local governments, municipalities, colleges, and universities. In all, it’s estimated the OSHSPA states cover more than 2.9 million workplaces and 58 million workers. In FY 2007, state plans conducted over 57,000 inspections, identified nearly 125,000 hazards and assessed over $70 million in penalties. (Charts 5 and 6)   CHART 5 Program Funding & Penalties Assessed (in millions of dollars for FY 2007) CHART 6 Program Inspections and Violations (for FY 2007) Text Version of Chart: Chart Title: CHART 5 - Program Funding & Penalties Assessed (in millions of dollars for FY 2007) Chart Type: Vertical Bar Graph Chart Elements: 4 - Two bars showing program funding and two bars showing the penalties assessed for both Federal OSHA and Stat Plan States Values: Funding for Programs Federal OSHA = $487 State Plan States = $228* Penalties Assessed Federal OSHA = $92 State Plan States = $70 *Includes $91M from OSHA and $137M in match from States Text Version of Chart: Chart Title: CHART 6 - Program Inspections and Violations (for FY 2007) Chart Type: Vertical Bar Graph Chart Elements: 4 - Two bars showing the number of inspections and two bars showing the total violations for both Federal OSHA and State Plan States Values: Number of Inspection Federal OSHA = 39,300 State Plan States = 57,300 Total Violations Federal OSHA = 88,800 State Plan States = 124,900 State Plan Programs bring unique strengths and flexibility to the administration of occupational safety and health programs in this nation. The OSHSPA states serve as “laboratories of innovation.” Because the programs are locally based, it is easier to develop and implement new programs and innovations, pilot alternative approaches, and experiment with new methods for achieving a safe and healthy work environment. Since federal OSHA was enacted in 1970, workplace fatalities have decreased by 60 percent and injury/illness rates are down 40 percent. Working together with federal OSHA, State Plan Programs continually identify new ways to encourage employer investment in workplace safety and health. Federal OSHA estimates employers realize a $4 − $6 return on every $1 invested in worker safety and health. This investment is significant because workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities are estimated to cost the country more than $170 billion per year. Although the number of employers and employees continue to increase in many states, the net resources to address workplace hazards in state plans have declined due to inflation and unfunded mandates from OSHA. The potential impacts if this trend continues are reduced enforcement and outreach capabilities and smaller reductions in injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Without more resources, it may become very difficult for some states to maintain a program that is at least as effective as federal OSHA, which is a mandatory requirement for State Plan Programs. Federal OSHA has long recognized State Plan Programs for their innovative approaches to protect working men and women across America. Together, OSHSPA State Plan Programs and federal OSHA will continue to share the message that it pays to invest in safety and health − with the primary goal that workers across the country return home from work safe and healthy at the end of the day..       State Plan Programs Covering Private and Public Sectors States Covered by Federal OSHA Private Sector Only         Alaska Arizona California Hawaii Indiana Iowa Kentucky Maryland Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Mexico North Carolina Oregon Puerto Rico South Carolina Tennessee Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Wyoming Alabama Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Delaware Dist. of Columbia Florida Georgia Idaho Illinois Kansas Louisiana Maine Massachusetts Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New York North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Dakota Texas Virgin Islands West Virginia Wisconsin State Plan Programs Covering Public Sector Only     Connecticut New Jersey New York Virgin Islands State Plan Programs Currently, there are 26 states and territories with state-operated programs for worker safety and health. Twenty-one states and one territory have plans covering the private and public sectors. Three states and one territory have programs covering the public sector only. OSHSPA links the 26 state-plan jurisdictions, federal OSHA jurisdictions and Congress. State Plan Programs have historically led efforts to create multidisciplinary approaches for workplace safety and health. In addition to compliance activity, most states devote significant resources for outreach, including consultative services and training resources to employers and workers. The OSHSPA states have established a strategic planning process that measures program outcomes based on each state’s unique knowledge of local work activity and hazards. This approach is consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Each state’s strategic plan provides objective information for determining budget levels, and enhances public confidence by showing program activities and results.   Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association 2008 Board of Directors Chairperson Vicky Heza Deputy Chief Division of Occupational Safety and Health California Department of Industrial Relations 2000 E. McFadden Avenue, Room 214 Santa Ana, CA 92705 Phone: 714.558.4411 E-mail Vice Chairperson Kevin Beauregard Assistant Deputy Commissioner Division of Occupational Safety and Health North Carolina Department of Labor 1101 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1101 Phone: 919.807.2863 E-mail Past Chairperson Steve Cant Assistant Director Division of Occupational Safety and Health Washington State Department of Labor and Industries P.O. Box 44600 Olympia, WA 98504-4600 Phone: 360.902.5495 E-mail Directors Jeff Isakson Director Occupational Safety and Health Division Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry 443 Lafayette Road North St. Paul, MN 55155-4307 Phone: 651.284.5310 E-mail Butch Tongate Chief Occupational Health and Safety Bureau New Mexico Environment Department 525 Camino de los Marquez, Suite 3 P.O. Box 26110 Santa Fe, NM 87502 Phone: 505.476.8787 E-mail Maureen Cox Director Division of Safety and Health New York Department of Labor State Office Building 12, Campus Room 522 Albany, NY 12240 Phone: 518.457.3518 E-mail Dottie Ison Administrator Office of Occupational Safety and Health South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation 110 Centerview Dr. P.O. Box 11329 Columbia, SC 29211-1329 Phone: 803.896.7686 E-mail

Back to Top	www.osha.gov	www.dol.gov
Contact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy and Security Statement | Disclaimers
Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210		Page last updated: 11/24/2008