Overview

• Initial Approval: November 5, 1974 (39 FR 39037)
• State Plan Certification: September 18, 1981 (46 FR 46322)
• 18(e) Final Approval: June 20, 1985 (50 FR 25561)

The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) is part of the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA). The main office is located in Phoenix.

Coverage

The Arizona State Plan applies to all private sector workplaces in the state with the following exceptions:

1. Maritime employment, including shipyard employment, marine terminals, and longshoring;
2. Contractors and subcontractors on federal establishments for which the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction;
3. Contract employees and contractor-operated facilities engaged in United States Postal Service mail operations;
4. Copper smelters;
5. Concrete and asphalt batch plants that are physically connected to a mine or so interdependent with a mine so as to form one integral enterprise;
6. Indian reservations;
7. All working conditions of aircraft cabin crewmembers onboard aircraft in operation; and
8. Any hazard, industry, geographical area, operation or facility over which the state is unable to effectively exercise jurisdiction for reasons not related to the required performance or structure of the plan.

The Arizona State Plan also applies to state and local government employers. It does not apply to federal government employers including the United States Postal Service. Federal OSHA covers the issues not covered by the Arizona State Plan. In addition, federal OSHA retains enforcement of the anti-retaliation provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Section 11(c), 29 USC 660(c), with respect to the private sector. ADOSH also investigates private and state and local government workplace retaliation cases under a provision analogous to Section 11(c).

A brief summary of the Arizona State Plan is included in the Code of Federal Regulations at 29 CFR 1952.19. Federal OSHA retains the authority to promulgate, modify, or revoke occupational safety and health standards under Section 6 of the OSH Act. In the event that federal OSHA resumes enforcement, those federal standards will be enforced. Federal OSHA also retains the authority to monitor the State Plan under Section 18(f) of the OSH Act.

State Plan Standards

ADOSH has adopted federal OSHA standards and incorporates them by reference. In addition, Arizona has the following unique standards:

• General Industry
• Compressed Gas and Air (General) and Air Receivers
• Commercial Driving Operations
• Construction
• Fall Protection
• Agriculture
• Field Sanitation
• Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand-Held Equipment
• Enforcement Programs

Enforcement Programs

ADOSH is responsible for the enforcement of ADOSH safety and health standards, regulations, and other provisions, including a prohibition against retaliation for occupational safety or health activity. ADOSH utilizes the OSHA Field Operations Manual (FOM) to provide guidance for its enforcement program. Compliance officers inspect workplaces for hazardous conditions and issue citations where violations of ADOSH standards, regulations, and other provisions of the state occupational safety and health statute are found. Inspections may be the result of regular scheduling, imminent danger reports, fatalities, and worker complaints or referrals. More information on enforcement in Arizona can be found on the Arizona State Plan website.

Voluntary and Cooperative Programs

ADOSH offers voluntary and cooperative programs focused on reducing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. ADOSH also offers on-site consultation services which help employers – both state and local government and private – comply with ADOSH standards, regulations, and other provisions of the state occupational safety and health statute, as well as identify and abate potential safety and health hazards. For more information on these programs, please visit the Arizona State Plan website.

Informal Conferences and Appeals

ADOSH management personnel conduct informal conferences in an effort to resolve contested cases. An administrative law judge of the Administrative Law Judge Division hears and rules on contests of citations, notifications, and penalties issued by ADOSH. These decisions may be appealed to an independent review board. For more information on these proceedings, please visit the Arizona State Plan website.