U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3075

2002 (Revised)
This booklet provides a generic overview of a

standards-related topic. This publication does not alter or

determine compliance responsibilities, which are described

in the OSHA standards and the Occupational Safety

and Health Act. Because interpretations and enforcement

policy may change over time, the best sources for additional

guidance on OSHA compliance requirements are current

administrative interpretations and decisions by the

Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and

the courts. This publication is in the public domain and

may be reproduced fully or partially without permission.

Source credit is requested but not required.

OSHA will make this information available to sensory

impaired individuals upon request. Call (202) 693 –1999.

The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889–5627.

U.S. Department of Labor

Elaine L. Chao, Secretary

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary

OSHA 3075

2002 (Revised)
i

Contents

Introduction .............................................................. 1

Why should you be concerned about

electrical hazards? ........................................................... 2

What OSHA standards address electrical safety? .............. 3

How do OSHA’s standards minimize

electrical hazards? ........................................................... 4

Electricity: The Basics .............................................. 5

What affects the flow of electricity? ............................. 5

How does water affect the flow of electricity? ............... 5

What causes shocks? ................................................. 5

What effect do shocks have on the body? .................... 6

What kind of burns can a shock cause? ....................... 8

Why do people sometimes “freeze” when

they are shocked? ...................................................... 8

What should you do if someone “freezes”

to a live electrical contact? .......................................... 9

How can you tell if a shock is serious? ......................... 9

What is the danger of static electricity? ...................... 10

Protection Against Electrical Hazards ..................... 11

What is the best way to protect yourself

against electrical hazards? ........................................ 11

What protection does insulation provide? .................. 11

How do you identify different types of insulation? ....... 11

What is guarding and what protection

does it offer? ........................................................... 12

What is grounding and what protection

does it offer? ........................................................... 13
ii

What are circuit protection devices and

how do they work? ................................................... 14

What work practices help protect you

against electrical hazards? ........................................ 15

How can you protect yourself against

metal parts that become energized? .......................... 15

How can you prevent an accidental or

unexpected equipment startup? ................................ 16

How can you protect yourself from

overhead power lines? ............................................. 17

What protection does personal equipment offer? ....... 18

What role do tools play? ........................................... 18

What special training do employees need? ................ 18

What’s the value of a safety and health program

in controlling electrical hazards? ................................ 19

How Can OSHA Help Me? ...................................... 20

How does safety and health program management

assistance help employers and employees? ............... 20

What are state plans? .............................................. 21

How can consultation assistance help employers?....... 21

Who can get consultation assistance

and what does it cost? .............................................. 22

Can OSHA assure privacy to an employer

who asks for consultation assistance? ........................ 22

Can an employer be cited for violations

after receiving consultation assistance? ...................... 22

Does OSHA provide any incentives for

seeking consultation assistance? ................................ 23

What is the Voluntary Protection Program? ................ 23
iii

How does the Voluntary Protection Program work? .... 24

How does VPP help employers and employees? ........ 24

How does OSHA monitor VPP sites? ........................ 25

Can OSHA inspect an employer who

is participating in the VPP? ....................................... 25

How can a partnership with OSHA improve

worker safety and health? ......................................... 25

What is OSHA’s Strategic Partnership

Program (OSPP)? ................................................... 26

What do OSPPs do? ............................................... 26

Are there different kinds of OSPPs? ......................... 26

What are the benefits of participation in

the OSPP? .............................................................. 27

Does OSHA have occupational safety and

health training for employers and employees? ............ 28

Does OSHA give money to organizations

for training and education? ....................................... 29

Does OSHA have other assistance

materials available? .................................................. 30

What do I do in case of an emergency?

Or if I need to file a complaint? ................................. 30

OSHA Offices ......................................................... 31

Regional Offices ....................................................... 31

Area Offices ............................................................ 33

State and Territories with

OSHA-Approved Safety and Health Plans ................ 48

OSHA Onsite Consultation Offices ............................ 54
1

Introduction

This booklet provides an overview of basic electrical

safety on the job.

Electricity is essential to modern life, both at

home and on the job. Some employees — engineers,

electricians, electronic technicians, and power line

workers, among them — work with electricity directly.

Others, such as office workers and sales people, work

with it indirectly. Perhaps because it has become such

a familiar part of our daily life, many of us don’t give

much thought to how much our work depends on a

reliable source of electricity. More importantly, we

tend to overlook the hazards electricity poses and fail

to treat it with the respect it deserves.
2

Why should you be concerned

about electrical hazards?

Electricity has long been recognized as a serious

workplace hazard, exposing employees to electric shock,

electrocution, burns, fires, and explosions. In 1999, for

example, 278 workers died from electrocutions at work,

accounting for almost 5 percent of all on-the-job fatalities

that year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What makes these statistics more tragic is that most of

these fatalities could have been easily avoided.
3

What OSHA standards

address electrical safety?

OSHA standards cover many electrical hazards in many

different industries. OSHA’s general industry electrical

safety standards are published in Title 29 Code of Federal

Regulations (CFR), Part 1910.302 through 1910.308 —

Design Safety Standards for Electrical Systems, and

1910.331 through 1910.335 — Electrical Safety-Related

Work Practices Standards.

OSHA’s electrical standards are based on the

National Fire Protection Association Standards NFPA 70,

National Electric Code, and NFPA 70E, Electrical

Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces.

OSHA also has electrical safety standards for the

construction industry, in 29 CFR 1926, Subpart K. OSHA’s

standards for marine terminals, in 29 CFR 1917, and for

longshoring, in 29 CFR 1918, reference the general industry

electrical standards in Subpart S of Part 1910. The shipyard

standards, in 29 CFR 1915, cover limited electrical safety

work practices in 29 CFR 1915.181.

Although OSHA operates a federal occupational safety

and health program, 24 states and 2 territories operate

their own OSHA-approved programs. In those states, the

standards and other procedures governing electrical safety

may not be identical to the federal requirements. They must,

however, be at least as effective as the federal standards.
4

How do OSHA’s standards

minimize electrical hazards?

OSHA standards focus on the design and use of electrical

equipment and systems. The standards cover only the

exposed or operating elements of an electrical installation

such as lighting, equipment, motors, machines, appliances,

switches, controls, and enclosures, requiring that they be

constructed and installed to minimize workplace electrical

dangers. Also, the standards require that certain approved

testing organizations test and certify electrical equipment

before use in the workplace to ensure it is safe.
5

Electricity: The Basics

What affects the flow of electricity?

Electricity flows more easily through some materials than

others. Some substances such as metals generally offer very

little resistance to the flow of electric current and are called

“conductors.” A common but perhaps overlooked conductor

is the surface or subsurface of the earth. Glass, plastic,

porcelain, clay, pottery, dry wood, and similar substances

generally slow or stop the flow of electricity. They are called

“insulators.” Even air, normally an insulator, can become a

conductor, as occurs during an arc or lightning stroke.

How does water affect the

flow of electricity?

Pure water is a poor conductor. But small amounts of

impurities in water like salt, acid, solvents, or other materials

can turn water itself and substances that generally act as

insulators into conductors or better conductors. Dry wood,

for example, generally slows or stops the flow of electricity.

But when saturated with water, wood turns into a conductor.

The same is true of human skin. Dry skin has a fairly high

resistance to electric current. But when skin is moist or wet,

it acts as a conductor. This means that anyone working with

electricity in a damp or wet environment needs to exercise

extra caution to prevent electrical hazards.

What causes shocks?

Electricity travels in closed circuits, normally through a

conductor. But sometimes a person’s body — an efficient

conductor of electricity — mistakenly becomes part of the
6

electric circuit. This can cause an electrical shock. Shocks

occur when a person’s body completes the current path with:

• both wires of an electric circuit;

• one wire of an energized circuit and the ground;

• a metal part that accidentally becomes energized due,

for example, to a break in its insulation; or

• another “conductor” that is carrying a current.

When a person receives a shock, electricity flows between

parts of the body or through the body to a ground or the

earth.

What effect do shocks have

on the body?

An electric shock can result in anything from a slight

tingling sensation to immediate cardiac arrest. The severity

depends on the following:

• the amount of current flowing through the body,

• the current’s path through the body,

• the length of time the body remains in the circuit, and

• the current’s frequency.

This table shows the general relationship between the

amount of current received and the reaction when current

flows from the hand to the foot for just 1 second.
7

Effects of Electric Current in the Human Body

Current Reaction

Below 1 milliampere Generally not perceptible

1 milliampere Faint tingle

5 milliamperes Slight shock felt; not painful but

disturbing. Average individual can

let go. Strong involuntary reactions

can lead to other injuries.

6–25 milliamperes (women) Painful shock, loss of muscular

control*

9–30 milliamperes (men) The freezing current or “let-go”

range.* Individual cannot let go,

but can be thrown away from the

circuit if extensor muscles are

stimulated.

50–150 milliamperes Extreme pain, respiratory arrest,

severe muscular contractions.

Death is possible.

1,000–4,300 milliamperes Rhythmic pumping action of

the heart ceases. Muscular

contraction and nerve damage

occur; death likely.

10,000 milliamperes Cardiac arrest, severe burns; death

probable

* If the extensor muscles are excited by the shock, the person

may be thrown away from the power source.

Source: W.B. Kouwenhoven, “Human Safety and Electric Shock,”

Electrical Safety Practices, Monograph, 112, Instrument

Society of America, p. 93. November 1968.
8

What kind of burns can a shock cause?

Burns are the most common shock-related injury.

An electrical accident can result in an electrical burn,

arc burn, thermal contact burn, or a combination of burns.

Electrical burns are among the most serious burns and

require immediate medical attention. They occur when

electric current flows through tissues or bone, generating

heat that causes tissue damage.

Arc or flash burns result from high temperatures caused

by an electric arc or explosion near the body. These burns

should be treated promptly.

Thermal contact burns are caused when the skin touches

hot surfaces of overheated electric conductors, conduits,

or other energized equipment. Thermal burns also can be

caused when clothing catches on fire, as may occur when

an electric arc is produced.

In addition to shock and burn hazards, electricity poses

other dangers. For example, arcs that result from short

circuits can cause injury or start a fire. Extremely high-energy

arcs can damage equipment, causing fragmented metal to

fly in all directions. Even low-energy arcs can cause violent

explosions in atmospheres that contain flammable gases,

vapors, or combustible dusts.

Why do people sometimes “freeze”

when they are shocked?

When a person receives an electrical shock, sometimes

the electrical stimulation causes the muscles to contract.

This “freezing” effect makes the person unable to pull free

of the circuit. It is extremely dangerous because it increases

the length of exposure to electricity and because the current

causes blisters, which reduce the body’s resistance and

increases the current.
9

The longer the exposure, the greater the risk of serious

injury. Longer exposures at even relatively low voltages can

be just as dangerous as short exposures at higher voltages.

Low voltage does not imply low hazard.

In addition to muscle contractions that cause “freezing,”

electrical shocks also can cause involuntary muscle reactions.

These reactions can result in a wide range of other injuries

from collisions or falls, including bruises, bone fractures, and

even death.

What should you do if someone

“freezes” to a live electrical contact?

If a person is “frozen” to a live electrical contact, shut off

the current immediately. If this is not possible, use boards,

poles, or sticks made of wood or any other nonconducting

materials and safely push or pull the person away from the

contact. It’s important to act quickly, but remember to protect

yourself as well from electrocution or shock.

How can you tell if a shock is serious?

A severe shock can cause considerably more damage than

meets the eye. A victim may suffer internal hemorrhages and

destruction of tissues, nerves, and muscles that aren’t readily

visible. Renal damage also can occur. If you or a coworker

receives a shock, seek emergency medical help immediately.
10

What is the danger of static electricity?

Static electricity also can cause a shock, though in a

different way and generally not as potentially severe as

the type of shock described previously. Static electricity can

build up on the surface of an object and, under the right

conditions, can discharge to a person, causing a shock.

The most familiar example of this is when a person reaches

for a door knob or other metal object on a cold, relatively

dry day and receives a shock.

However, static electricity also can cause shocks or can just

discharge to an object with much more serious consequences,

as when friction causes a high level of static electricity to

build up at a specific spot on an object. This can happen

simply through handling plastic pipes and materials or

during normal operation of rubberized drive or machine belts

found in many worksites. In these cases, for example, static

electricity can potentially discharge when sufficient amounts

of flammable or combustible substances are located nearby

and cause an explosion. Grounding or other measures may

be necessary to prevent this static electricity buildup and

the results.
11

Protection Against

Electrical Hazards

What is the best way to protect

yourself against electrical hazards?

Most electrical accidents result from one of the following

three factors:

• unsafe equipment or installation,

• unsafe environment, or

• unsafe work practices.

Some ways to prevent these accidents are through the

use of insulation, guarding, grounding, electrical protective

devices, and safe work practices.

What protection does insulation

provide?

Insulators such as glass, mica, rubber, or plastic used to

coat metals and other conductors help stop or reduce the

flow of electrical current. This helps prevent shock, fires, and

short circuits. To be effective, the insulation must be suitable

for the voltage used and conditions such as temperature

and other environmental factors like moisture, oil, gasoline,

corrosive fumes, or other substances that could cause the

insulator to fail.

How do you identify different

types of insulation?

Insulation on conductors is often color coded. Insulated

equipment grounding conductors usually are either solid

green or green with yellow stripes. Insulation covering

grounded conductors is generally white or gray. Ungrounded

conductors, or “hot wires,” often are black or red, although

they may be any color other than green, white, or gray.
12

Before connecting electrical equipment to a power source,

it’s a good idea to check the insulation for any exposed wires

for possible defects. Insulation covering flexible cords such

as extension cords is particularly vulnerable to damage.

The insulation that covers conductors in non-construction

applications is regulated by Subpart S of 29 CFR 1910.302

through 1910.308, Wiring Design and Protection.

Subpart S generally requires insulation on circuit conductors.

It also specifies that the insulation used should be suitable

for the voltage and conditions. Conductors used in

construction applications are regulated by Subpart K of

29 CFR 1926.402 through 1926.408.

What is guarding and what

protection does it offer?

Guarding involves locating or enclosing electric equipment

to make sure people don’t accidentally come into contact

with its live parts. Effective guarding requires equipment

with exposed parts operating at 50 volts or more to be

placed where it is accessible only to authorized people

qualified to work with it. Recommended locations are a

room, vault, or similar enclosure; a balcony, gallery, or

elevated platform; or a site elevated 8 feet (2.44 meters)

or more above the floor. Sturdy, permanent screens also

can serve as effective guards.

Conspicuous signs must be posted at the entrances to

electrical rooms and similarly guarded locations to alert

people to the electrical hazard and to forbid entry to

unauthorized people. Signs may contain the word “Danger,”

“Warning,” or “Caution,” and beneath that, appropriate

concise wording that alerts people to the hazard or gives

an instruction, such as “Danger/High Voltage/Keep Out.”
13

What is grounding and what

protection does it offer?

“Grounding” a tool or electrical system means intentionally

creating a low-resistance path that connects to the earth.

This prevents the buildup of voltages that could cause an

electrical accident.

Grounding is normally a secondary protective measure

to protect against electric shock. It does not guarantee that

you won’t get a shock or be injured or killed by an electrical

current. It will, however, substantially reduce the risk,

especially when used in combination with other safety

measures discussed in this booklet.

29 CFR, Part 1910.304, Subpart S, Wiring Design

and Protection, requires at times a service or system ground

and an equipment ground in non-construction applications.

A service or system ground is designed primarily to

protect machines, tools, and insulation against damage.

One wire, called the “neutral” or “grounded” conductor,

is grounded. In an ordinary low-voltage circuit, the white

or gray wire is grounded at the generator or transformer

and at the building’s service entrance.

An equipment ground helps protect the equipment

operator. It furnishes a second path for the current to

pass through from the tool or machine to the ground.

This additional ground safeguards the operator if a

malfunction causes the tool’s metal frame to become

energized. The resulting flow of current may activate the

circuit protection devices.
14

What are circuit protection devices

and how do they work?

Circuit protection devices limit or stop the flow of current

automatically in the event of a ground fault, overload, or short

circuit in the wiring system. Well-known examples of these

devices are fuses, circuit breakers, ground-fault circuit

interrupters, and arc-fault circuit interrupters.

Fuses and circuit breakers open or break the circuit

automatically when too much current flows through them.

When that happens, fuses melt and circuit breakers trip

the circuit open. Fuses and circuit breakers are designed to

protect conductors and equipment. They prevent wires and

other components from overheating and open the circuit

when there is a risk of a ground fault.

Ground-fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs, are used in

wet locations, construction sites, and other high-risk areas.

These devices interrupt the flow of electricity within as

little as 1/40 of a second to prevent electrocution. GFCIs

compare the amount of current going into electric equipment

with the amount of current returning from it along the circuit

conductors. If the difference exceeds 5 milliamperes, the

device automatically shuts off the electric power.

Arc-fault devices provide protection from the effects of

arc-faults by recognizing characteristics unique to arcing and

by functioning to deenergize the circuit when an arc-fault

is detected.
15

What work practices help protect

you against electrical hazards?

Electrical accidents are largely preventable through

safe work practices. Examples of these practices include

the following:

• deenergizing electric equipment before inspection

or repair,

• keeping electric tools properly maintained,

• exercising caution when working near energized lines,

and

• using appropriate protective equipment.

Electrical safety-related work practice requirements

for general industry are detailed in Subpart S of 29 CFR

Part 1910, in Sections 1910.331–1910.335. For

construction applications, electrical safety-related work

practice requirements are detailed in Subpart K of

29 CFR Part 1926.416 to 1926.417.

How can you protect yourself against

metal parts that become energized?

A break in an electric tool’s or machine’s insulation can

cause its metal parts to become “hot” or energized, meaning

that they conduct electricity. Touching these energized parts

can result in an electrical shock, burn, or electrocution. The

best way to protect yourself when using electrical tools or

machines is to establish a low-resistance path from the device’s

metallic case to the ground. This requires an equipment

grounding conductor, a low-resistance wire that directs

unwanted current directly to the ground. A properly installed

grounding conductor has a low resistance to ground and greatly

reduces the amount of current that passes through your body.

Cord and plug equipment with a three-prong plug is a common

example of equipment incorporating this ground conductor.
16

Another form of protection is to use listed or labeled

portable tools and appliances protected by an approved

system of double insulation or its equivalent. Where such

a system is employed, it must be marked distinctively to

indicate that the tool or appliance uses an approved double

insulation system.

How can you prevent an accidental

or unexpected equipment startup?

Proper lockout/tagout procedures protect you from the

dangers of the accidental or unexpected startup of electrical

equipment and are required for general industry by OSHA

Standard 1910.333, Selection and Use of Work Practices.

Requirements for construction applications are in 29 CFR

1926.417, Lockout and Tagging of Circuits. These procedures

ensure that electrical equipment is deenergized before it is

repaired or inspected and protects you against electrocution

or shock.

The first step before beginning any inspection or repair job

is to turn the current off at the switch box and padlock the

switch in the OFF position. This applies even on so-called

low-voltage circuits. Securely tagging the switch or controls

of the machine or equipment being locked out of service

clarifies to everyone in the area which equipment or circuits

are being inspected or repaired.

Only qualified electricians who have been trained in safe

lockout procedures should maintain electrical equipment.

No two of the locks used should match, and each key should

fit just one lock. In addition, one individual lock and key

should be issued to each maintenance worker authorized to

lock out and tag the equipment. All employees who repair a

given piece of equipment should lock out its switch with an

individual lock. Only authorized workers should be permitted

to remove it.
17

How can you protect yourself from

overhead power lines?

Before working under or near overhead power lines,

ensure that you maintain a safe distance to the lines and,

for very high-voltage lines, ground any equipment such as

cranes that can become energized. If working on power lines,

ensure that the lines have been deenergized and grounded

by the owner or operator of the lines. Other protective

measures like guarding or insulating the lines help prevent

accidental contact.

Employees unqualified to work with electricity, as well

as mechanical equipment, should remain at least 10 feet

(3.05 meters) away from overhead power lines. If the voltage

is more than 50,000 volts, the clearance increases by 4 inches

(10 centimeters) for each additional 10,000 volts.

When mechanical equipment is operated near overhead

lines, employees standing on the ground should avoid contact

with the equipment unless it is located outside the danger

zone. When factoring the safe standoff distance, be sure to

consider the equipment’s maximum reach.
18

What protection does personal

equipment offer?

Employees who work directly with electricity should use

the personal protective equipment required for the jobs they

perform. This equipment may include rubber insulating

gloves, hoods, sleeves, matting, blankets, line hose, and

industrial protective helmets designed to reduce electric

shock hazard. All help reduce the risk of electrical accidents.

What role do tools play?

Appropriate and properly maintained tools help protect

workers against electric hazards. It’s important to maintain

tools regularly because it prevents them from deteriorating

and becoming dangerous. Check each tool before using it. If

you find a defect, immediately remove it from service and tag

it so no one will use it until it has been repaired or replaced.

When using a tool to handle energized conductors, check

to make sure it is designed and constructed to withstand the

voltages and stresses to which it has been exposed.

What special training do

employees need?

All employees should be trained to be thoroughly familiar

with the safety procedures for their particular jobs. Moreover,

good judgment and common sense are integral to preventing

electrical accidents. When working on electrical equipment,

for example, some basic procedures to follow are to:

• deenergize the equipment,

• use lockout and tag procedures to ensure that the

equipment remains deenergized,

• use insulating protective equipment, and

• maintain a safe distance from energized parts.
19

What’s the value of a safety and health

program in controlling electrical hazards?

Every good safety and health program provides measures

to control electrical hazards. The measures suggested in this

booklet should be helpful in establishing such a program.

The responsibility for this program should be delegated to

someone with a complete knowledge of electricity, electrical

work practices, and the appropriate OSHA standards for

installation and performance.

Everyone has the right to work in a safe environment.

Safety and health add value to your business and your

workplace. Through cooperative efforts, employers and

employees can learn to identify and eliminate or control

electrical hazards.
20

How Can OSHA Help Me?

OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of

programs, including assistance about safety and health

programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary

protection programs, strategic partnerships, training and

education, and more.

How does safety and health program

management assistance help employers

and employees?

Working in a safe and healthful environment can stimulate

innovation and creativity and result in increased performance

and higher productivity.

To assist employers and employees in developing effective

safety and health programs, OSHA published recommended

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

(Federal Register 54(18):3904–3916, January 26, 1989).

These voluntary guidelines can be applied to all worksites

covered by OSHA.

The guidelines identify four general elements that are

critical to the development of a successful safety and health

management system:

• management leadership and employee involvement,

• worksite analysis,

• hazard prevention and control, and

• safety and health training.

The guidelines recommend specific actions under each

of these general elements to achieve an effective safety and

health program. The Federal Register notice is available

online at www.osha.gov.
21

What are state plans?

State plans are OSHA-approved job safety and health

programs operated by individual states or territories instead

of Federal OSHA. The Occupational Safety and Health

Act of 1970 (OSH Act) encourages states to develop and

operate their own job safety and health plans and permits

state enforcement of OSHA standards if the state has an

approved plan. Once OSHA approves a state plan, it funds

50 percent of the program’s operating costs. State plans

must provide standards and enforcement programs, as

well as voluntary compliance activities, that are at least as

effective as those of Federal OSHA.

There are 26 state plans: 23 cover both private and

public (state and local government) employment, and 3

(Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York) cover only the

public sector. For more information on state plans, see the

listing at the end of this publication, or visit OSHA’s website

at www.osha.gov.

How can consultation assistance

help employers?

In addition to helping employers identify and correct

specific hazards, OSHA’s consultation service provides free,

onsite assistance in developing and implementing effective

workplace safety and health management systems that

emphasize the prevention of worker injuries and illnesses.

Comprehensive consultation assistance provided by

OSHA includes a hazard survey of the worksite and an

appraisal of all aspects of the employer’s existing safety and

health management system. In addition, the service offers

assistance to employers in developing and implementing an

effective safety and health management system. Employers

also may receive training and education services, as well as

limited assistance away from the worksite.
22

Who can get consultation assistance

and what does it cost?

Consultation assistance is available to small employers

(with fewer than 250 employees at a fixed site and no more

than 500 corporatewide) who want help in establishing

and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace.

Funded largely by OSHA, the service is provided at

no cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller

employers with more hazardous operations, the consultation

service is delivered by state governments employing

professional safety and health consultants. No penalties

are proposed or citations issued for hazards identified by

the consultant. The employer’s only obligation is to correct all

identified serious hazards within the agreed-upon correction

time frame.

Can OSHA assure privacy to an employer

who asks for consultation assistance?

OSHA provides consultation assistance to the employer

with the assurance that his or her name and firm and any

information about the workplace will not be routinely

reported to OSHA enforcement staff.

Can an employer be cited for violations

after receiving consultation assistance?

If an employer fails to eliminate or control a serious hazard

within the agreed-upon time frame, the consultation project

manager must refer the situation to the OSHA enforcement

office for appropriate action. This is a rare occurrence,

however, because employers request the service for the

expressed purpose of identifying and fixing hazards in

their workplaces.
23

Does OSHA provide any incentives

for seeking consultation assistance?

Yes. Under the consultation program, certain exemplary

employers may request participation in OSHA’s Safety

and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

Eligibility for participation in SHARP includes, but is not

limited to, receiving a full-service, comprehensive consultation

visit, correcting all identified hazards, and developing an

effective safety and health management system.

Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an

exemption from programmed inspections (not complaint

or accident investigation inspections) for a period of 1 year

initially, or 2 years upon renewal. For more information

concerning consultation assistance, see the consultation

directory at the end of this publication, contact your regional

or area OSHA office, or visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

What is the Voluntary Protection Program?

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPPs) represent one

part of OSHA’s effort to extend worker protection beyond

the minimum required by OSHA standards. VPP — along

with onsite consultation services, full-service area offices,

and OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP) —

represents a cooperative approach which, when coupled

with an effective enforcement program, expands worker

protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act.
24

How does the Voluntary Protection

Program work?

There are three levels of VPPs: Star, Merit, and

Demonstration. All are designed to do the following:

• recognize employers who have successfully developed

and implemented effective and comprehensive safety

and health management systems;

• encourage these employers to continuously improve

their safety and health management systems;

• motivate other employers to achieve excellent safety

and health results in the same outstanding way; and

• establish a relationship between employers, employees,

and OSHA that is based on cooperation.

How does VPP help employers

and employees?

VPP participation can mean the following:

• reduced numbers of worker fatalities, injuries, and

illnesses;

• lost-workday case rates generally 50 percent below

industry averages;

• lower workers’ compensation and other injury- and

illness-related costs;

• improved employee motivation to work safely, leading

to a better quality of life at work;

• positive community recognition and interaction;

• further improvement and revitalization of already good

safety and health programs; and

• a positive relationship with OSHA.
25

How does OSHA monitor VPP sites?

OSHA reviews an employer’s VPP application and

conducts a VPP onsite evaluation to verify that the safety

and health management systems described are operating

effectively at the site. OSHA conducts onsite evaluations on a

regular basis, annually for participants at the Demonstration

level, every 18 months for Merit, and every 3 to 5 years for

Star. Each February, all participants must send a copy of

their most recent annual evaluation to their OSHA regional

office. This evaluation must include the worksite’s record

of injuries and illnesses for the past year.

Can OSHA inspect an employer

who is participating in the VPP?

Sites participating in VPP are not scheduled for regular,

programmed inspections. OSHA handles any employee

complaints, serious accidents, or significant chemical

releases that may occur at VPP sites according to routine

enforcement procedures.

Additional information on VPP is available from OSHA

national, regional, and area offices, listed at the end of

this booklet. Also, see Outreach on OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov.

How can a partnership with OSHA

improve worker safety and health?

OSHA has learned firsthand that voluntary, cooperative

partnerships with employers, employees, and unions can

be a useful alternative to traditional enforcement and an

effective way to reduce worker deaths, injuries, and

illnesses. This is especially true when a partnership leads

to the development and implementation of comprehensive

workplace safety and health management system.
26

What is OSHA’s Strategic Partnership

Program (OSPP)?

OSHA Strategic Partnerships are alliances among labor,

management, and government to foster improvements in

workplace safety and health. These partnerships are

voluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA,

employers, employee representatives, and others such

as trade unions, trade and professional associations,

universities, and other government agencies. OSPPs are the

newest member of OSHA’s family of cooperative programs.

What do OSPPs do?

These partnerships encourage, assist, and recognize

the efforts of the partners to eliminate serious workplace

hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health.

Whereas OSHA’s Consultation Program and VPP entail

one-on-one relationships between OSHA and individual

worksites, most strategic partnerships seek to have a

broader impact by building cooperative relationships with

groups of employers and employees.

Are there different kinds of OSPPs?

There are two major types:

• comprehensive, which focus on establishing

comprehensive safety and health management

systems at partnering worksites; and

• limited, which help identify and eliminate hazards

associated with worker deaths, injuries, and illnesses,

or have goals other than establishing comprehensive

worksite safety and health programs.
27

OSHA is interested in creating new OSPPs at the

national, regional, and local levels. OSHA also has found

limited partnerships to be valuable. Limited partnerships

might address the elimination or control of a specific

industry hazard.

What are the benefits of participation

in the OSPP?

Like VPP, OSPP can mean the following:

• fewer worker fatalities, injuries, and illnesses;

• lower workers’ compensation and other injury- and

illness-related costs;

• improved employee motivation to work safely, leading

to a better quality of life at work and enhanced

productivity;

• positive community recognition and interaction;

• development of or improvement in safety and health

management systems; and

• positive interaction with OSHA.

For more information about this program, contact your

nearest OSHA office or go to the agency website at

www.osha.gov.
28

Does OSHA have occupational safety and

health training for employers and employees?

Yes. The OSHA Training Institute in Des Plaines, IL,

provides basic and advanced training and education in safety

and health for federal and state compliance officers, state

consultants, other federal agency personnel, and privatesector employers, employees, and their representatives.

Institute courses cover diverse safety and health topics

including electrical hazards, machine guarding, personal

protective equipment, ventilation, and ergonomics. The

facility includes classrooms, laboratories, a library, and

an audiovisual unit. The laboratories contain various

demonstrations and equipment, such as power presses,

woodworking and welding shops, a complete industrial

ventilation unit, and a sound demonstration laboratory.

More than 57 courses dealing with subjects such as safety

and health in the construction industry and methods of

compliance with OSHA standards are available for

personnel in the private sector.

In addition, OSHA’s 73 area offices are full-service

centers offering a variety of informational services such

as personnel for speaking engagements, publications,

audiovisual aids on workplace hazards, and technical advice.

For more information on grants, training, and education,

write: OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and

Education, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018;

call (847) 297–4810; or see Outreach on OSHA’s website

at www.osha.gov.
29

Does OSHA give money to organizations

for training and education?

OSHA awards grants through its Susan Harwood Training

Grant Program to nonprofit organizations to provide safety

and health training and education to employers and workers

in the workplace. The grants focus on programs that will

educate workers and employers in small business (fewer

than 250 employees), training workers and employers about

new OSHA standards or about high-risk activities or

hazards. Grants are awarded for 1 year and may be

renewed for an additional 12 months depending on whether

the grantee has performed satisfactorily.

OSHA expects each organization awarded a grant to

develop a training and/or education program that addresses

a safety and health topic named by OSHA, recruit workers

and employers for the training, and conduct the training.

Grantees are also expected to follow up with people who

have been trained to find out what changes were made to

reduce the hazards in their workplaces as a result of the

training.

Each year OSHA has a national competition that is

announced in the Federal Register and on the Internet at

www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/index.html.

If you do not have access to the Internet, you can contact the

OSHA Office of Training and Education, 1555 Times Drive,

Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, (847) 297–4810, for more

information.
30

Does OSHA have other assistance

materials available?

OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on

its website at www.osha.gov. These include e-Tools such

as Expert Advisors and Electronic Compliance Assistance

Tools (e-CATs), Technical Links, regulations, directives,

publications, videos, and other information for employers

and employees. OSHA’s software programs and compliance

assistance tools walk you through challenging safety and

health issues and common problems to find the best solutions

for your workplace. OSHA’s comprehensive publications

program includes more than 100 titles to help you

understand OSHA requirements and programs.

OSHA’s CD-ROM includes standards, interpretations,

directives, and more and can be purchased on CD-ROM

from the U.S. Government Printing Office. To order, write to

the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing

Office, Washington, DC 20402, or phone (202) 512–1800.

Specify OSHA Regulations, Documents and Technical

Information on CD-ROM (ORDT), GPO Order No.

S/N 729-013-00000-5.

What do I do in case of an emergency?

Or if I need to file a complaint?

To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek OSHA

advice, assistance, or products, call (800) 321–OSHA or

contact your nearest OSHA regional or area office listed at

the end of this publication. The teletypewriter (TTY) number

is (877) 889–5627.

You can also file a complaint online and obtain more

information on OSHA federal and state programs by visiting

OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.
31

OSHA Offices

OSHA Regional Offices

Region I

(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*)

JFK Federal Building, Room E340

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860

Region II

(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378

Region III

(DE, DC, MD,* PA,* VA,* WV)

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West

Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900

Region IV

(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)

SNAF

61 Forsyth Street SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-2300

Region V

(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street, Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220
32

Region VI

(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(214) 767-4731 or 4736 x224

Region VII

(IA,* KS, MO, NE)

City Center Square

1100 Main Street, Suite 800

Kansas City, MO 64105

(816) 426-5861

Region VIII

(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)

1999 Broadway, Suite 1690

PO Box 46550

Denver, CO 80202-5716

(303) 844-1600

Region IX

(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* HI, NV,* Northern Mariana

Islands)

71 Stevenson Street, Room 420

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 975-4310

Region X

(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)

1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715

Seattle, WA 98101-3212

(206) 553-5930

*These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved

job safety and health programs. (Connecticut, New Jersey and

New York plans cover public employees only.) States with

approved programs must have a standard that is identical to,

or at least as effective as, the federal standard.
33

OSHA Area Offices

Alabama

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Vestavia Village, 2047 Canyon Road

Birmingham, AL 35216–1981

(205) 731-1534

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

3737 Government Boulevard, Suite 100

Mobile, AL 36693-4309

(251) 441-6131

Alaska

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

301 W. Northern Lights Blvd, Suite 407

Anchorage, AK 99503

(907) 271-5152

Arizona

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

3221 North 16th Street, Suite 100

Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602) 640-2348

Arkansas

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

TCBY Building, Suite 450

425 West Capitol Avenue

Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 324-6291(5818)

California

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

5675 Ruffin Road, Suite 330

San Diego, CA 92123

(619) 557-5909
34

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

101 El Camino Plaza, Suite 105

Sacramento, CA 95815

(916) 566-7471

Colorado

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1391 Speer Boulevard, Suite 210

Denver, CO 80204-2552

(303) 844-5285

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

7935 East Prentice Avenue, Suite 209

Greenwood Village, CO 80111-2714

(303) 843-4500

Connecticut

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1057 Broad Street, Fourth Floor

Bridgeport, CT 06604

(203) 579-5581

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Federal Building

450 Main Street, Room 613

Hartford, CT 06103

(860) 240-3152

Delaware

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Caleb Boggs Federal Building

844 N King Street, Room 2209

Wilmington, DE 19801-3319

(302) 573-6518
35

Florida

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

8040 Peters Road, Building H-100

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33324

(954) 424-0242

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Ribault Building, Suite 227

1851 Executive Center Drive

Jacksonville, FL 32207

(904) 232-2895

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

5807 Breckenridge Parkway, Suite A

Tampa, FL 33610-4249

(813) 626-1177

Georgia

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

450 Mall Boulevard, Suite J

Savannah, GA 31406

(912) 652-4393

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

2400 Herodian Way, Suite 250

Smyrna, GA 30080-2968

(770) 984-8700

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

LaVista Perimeter Office Park

2183 N. Lake Parkway

Building 7, Suite 110

Tucker, GA 30084-4154

(770) 493-6644/6742/8419
36

Idaho

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 201

Boise, ID 83706

(208) 321-2960

Illinois

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1600 167th Street, Suite 9

Calumet City, IL 60409

(708) 891-3800

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

O’hara Plaza

701 Lee Street, Suite #950

Des Plaines, IL 60016

(847) 803-4800

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

11 Executive Drive, Suite 11

Fairview Heights, IL 62208

(618) 632-8612

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

365 Smoke Tree Business Park

North Aurora, IL 60542

(630) 896-8700

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

2918 West Willow Knolls Road

Peoria, IL 61614

(309) 671-7033

Indiana

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

46 East Ohio Street, Room 453

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 226-7290
37

Iowa

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

210 Walnut Street, Room 815

Des Moines, IA 50309

(515) 284-4794

Kansas

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

217 W. 3rd Street North

Room #400

Wichita, KS 67202

(316) 269-6644

Kentucky

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

John C. Watts Federal Building

330 W. Broadway, Room 108

Frankfort, KY 40601-1922

(502) 227-7024

Louisiana

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

9100 Bluebonnet Centre Boulevard

Suite 201

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

(225) 389-0474 (0431)

Maine

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

202 Harlow Street, Room 211

Bangor, ME 04401

(207) 941-8177

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

West Tower

100 Middle Street, Suite 410 West

Portland, ME 04101

(207) 780-3178
38

Maryland

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1099 Winterson Road, Suite 140

Linthicum, MD 21090-2218

(410) 865-2055/2056

Massachusetts

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

639 Granite Street, 4th Floor

Braintree, MA 02184

(617) 565-6924

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Valley Office Park

13 Branch Street

Methuen, MA 01844

(617) 565-8110

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1441 Main Street, Room 550

Springfield, MA 01103-1493

(413) 785-0123

Michigan

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

801 South Waverly Road, Suite 306

Lansing, MI 48917-4200

(517) 322-1814

Minnesota

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

300 South 4th Street, Room 1205

Minneapolis, MN 55415

(612) 664-5460
39

Mississippi

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

3780 I-55 North, Suite 210

Jackson, MS 39211-6323

(601) 965-4606

Missouri

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

6200 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 100

Kansas City, MO 64120

(816) 483-9531

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

911 Washington Avenue, Room 420

St. Louis, MO 63101

(314) 425-4249

Montana

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

2900 4th Avenue North, Suite 303

Billings, MT 59101

(406) 247-7494

Nebraska

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Overland–Wolf Building

6910 Pacific Street, Room 100

Omaha, NE 68106

(402) 221-3182

Nevada

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

705 North Plaza, Room 204

Carson City, NV 89701

(775) 885-6963
40

New Hampshire

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

279 Pleasant Street, Suite 201

Concord, NH 03301

(603) 225-1629

New Jersey

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1030 St. Georges Avenue

Plaza 35, Suite 205

Avenel, NJ 07001

(732) 750-3270

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

500 Route 17 South, 2nd Floor

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604

(201) 288-1700

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Marlton Executive Park, Building 2

701 Route 73 South, Suite 120

Marlton, NJ 08053

(856) 757-5181

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

299 Cherry Hill Road, Suite 304

Parsippany, NJ 07054

(973) 263-1003

New York

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

401 New Karner Road, Suite 300

Albany, NY 12205-3809

(518) 464-4338

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

42-40 Bell Boulevard

Bayside, NY 11361

(718) 279–9060
41

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

5360 Genesee Street

Bowmansville, NY 14026

(716) 684-3891

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

201 Varick Street, Room #646

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2636

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

3300 Vickery Road

North Syracuse, NY 13212

(315) 451-0808

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

660 White Plains Road, 4th Floor

Tarrytown, NY 10591-5107

(914) 524-7510

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1400 Old Country Road, Room 208

Westbury, NY 11590

(516) 334-3344

North Carolina

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Century Station Federal Office Building

300 Fayetteville Street Mall, Room 438

Raleigh, NC 27601-9998

(919) 856-4770

North Dakota

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1640 East Capitol Avenue

Bismark, ND 58501

(701) 250-4521
42

Ohio

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

36 Triangle Park Drive

Cincinnati, OH 45246

(513) 841-4132

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Federal Office Building

1240 East 9th Street, Room 899

Cleveland, OH 44199

(216) 522-3818

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Federal Office Building

200 North High Street, Room 620

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 469-5582

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

420 Madison Avenue

Suite 600

Toledo, OH 43604

(419) 259-7542

Oklahoma

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

55 North Robinson, Suite 315

Oklahoma City, OK 73102-9237

(405) 278-9560

Oregon

U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA

Federal Office Building

1220 Southwest 3rd Avenue, Room 640

Portland, OR 97204

(503) 326-2251
43

Pennsylvania

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

850 North 5th Street

Allentown, PA 18102

(610) 776-0592

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

3939 West Ridge Road, Suite B12

Erie, PA 16506-1887

(814) 833-5758

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Progress Plaza

49 North Progress Avenue

Harrisburg, PA 17109

(717) 782-3902

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

U.S. Custom House, Room 242

Second and Chestnut Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19106-2902

(215) 597-4955

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Federal Office Building

1000 Liberty Avenue, Room 1428

Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4101

(412) 395-4903

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Steigmaier

7 North Wilkes-Barre Boulevard, Suite 410

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702-350

(570) 826-6538
44

Puerto Rico

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Triple SSS Plaza Building

1510 F. D. Roosevelt Avenue, Suite 5B

Guaynabo, PR 00968

(787) 277-1560

Rhode Island

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Federal Office Building

380 Westminster Mall, Room 543

Providence, RI 02903

(401) 528-4669

South Carolina

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1835 Assembly Street, Room 1468

Columbia, SC 29201-2453

(803) 765-5904

Tennessee

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

2002 Richard Jones Road, Suite C-205

Nashville, TN 37215-2809

(615) 781-5423

Texas

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

903 San Jacinto Boulevard, Suite 319

Austin, TX 78701

(512) 916-5783 (5788)
45

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Wilson Plaza

606 N. Carancahua, Suite 700

Corpus Christi, TX 78476

(361) 888-3420

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

8344 East R.L. Thornton Freeway, Suite 420

Dallas, TX 75228

(214) 320-2400 (2558)

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

700 E San Antonio St.

Room C-408

El Paso, TX 79901

(915) 534-6251

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

North Starr II, Suite 302

8713 Airport Freeway

Fort Worth, TX 76180-7610

(817) 428-2470 (485-7647)

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

507 N. Sam Houston Parkway, Suite 400

Houston, TX 77060

(281) 591-2438 (2787)

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

17625 El Camino Real, Suite 400

Houston, TX 77058

(281) 286-0583/0584 (5922)

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Federal Office Building

1205 Texas Avenue, Room 806

Lubbock, TX 79401

(806) 472-7681 (7685)
46

Utah

U.S. Depaartment of Labor—OSHA

160 E 300 South

Heber-Wells Building

P. O. Box 146650

Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6650

(801) 530-6901

Virginia

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Federal Office Building

200 Granby Street, Room 614

Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 441-3820

Washington

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

505 106th Avenue, NE, Suite 302

Bellevue, WA 98004

(206) 553-7520

West Virginia

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

405 Capitol Street

Suite 407

Charleston, WV 25301

(304) 347-5937

Wisconsin

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1648 Tri Parkway

Appleton, WI 54914

(920) 734-4521
47

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

1310 West Clairmont Avenue

Eau Claire, WI 54701

(715) 832-9019

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

4802 E. Broadway

Madison, WI 53716

(608) 264-5388

U.S. Department of Labor—OSHA

Henry S. Reuss Building

310 W. Wisconsin Ave, Suite 1180

Milwaukee, WI 53203

(414) 297-3315

* For issues involving federal agencies or private companies

working for federal agencies in Arizona, California, Guam,

Hawaii, and Nevada, call the numbers listed. For issues

involving private or state government employers in these

states, refer to the appropriate state office in Arizona,

California, Hawaii, and Nevada.
48

States and Territories with OSHAApproved Safety and Health Plans

Alaska

Commissioner

Alaska Department of Labor

1111 W. 8th Street, Room 308

P.O. Box 21149

Juneau, AK 99802-1149

(907) 465-2700

Arizona

Director

Industrial Commission of Arizona

800 W. Washington

Phoenix, AZ 85007

(602) 542-5795

California

Director

California Department of Industrial Relations

455 Golden Gate Avenue, 10th floor

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 703-5050

Connecticut

Commissioner

Connecticut Department of Labor

200 Folly Brook Boulevard

Wethersfield, CT 06109

(860) 263-6505

Hawaii

Director

Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

830 Punchbowl Street

Honolulu, HI 96831

(808) 586-8844
49

Indiana

Commissioner

Indiana Department of Labor

State Office Building

402 West Washington Street, Room W195

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 232-2378

Iowa

Commissioner

Iowa Division of Labor

1000 E. Grand Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50319

(515) 281-3447

Kentucky

Secretary

Kentucky Labor Cabinet

1047 U.S. Highway 127 South, Suite 4

Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 564-3070

Maryland

Commissioner

Maryland Division of Labor and Industry

Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation

MOSH

1100 N. Eutaw Street, Room 613

Baltimore, MD 21201-2206

(410) 767-2215

Michigan

Director

Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services

P.O. Box 30643

7150 Harris Drive

Lansing, MI 48909

(517) 373-7230
50

Minnesota

Commissioner

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

443 Lafayette Road

St. Paul, MN 55155

(651) 284-5010

Nevada

Administrator

Nevada Division of Industrial Relations

400 West King Street, Suite 400

Carson City, NV 89703

(775) 684-7260

New Jersey

Commissioner

New Jersey Department of Labor

John Fitch Plaza — Labor Building

Market and Warren Streets

P.O. Box 110

Trenton, NJ 08625-0110

(609) 292-2975

New Mexico

Secretary

New Mexico Environment Department

1190 St. Francis Drive

P.O. Box 26110

Santa Fe, NM 87502

(505) 827-2850

New York

Commissioner

New York Department of Labor

W. Averell Harriman State Office

Building-12, Room 500

Albany, NY 12240

(518) 457-2741
51

North Carolina

Commissioner

North Carolina Department of Labor

4 West Edenton Street

Raleigh, NC 27601-1092

(919) 807-2900

Oregon

Administrator

Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services

Occupational Safety and Health Division (OR-OSHA)

350 Winter Street, N.E. Room 430

Salem, OR 97310-3882

(503) 378-3272

Puerto Rico

Secretary

Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources

Prudencio Rivera Martinez Building

505 Munoz Rivera Avenue

Hato Rey, PR 00918

(787) 754-2119

South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

Koger Office Park, Kingstree Building

110 Centerview Drive

P.O. Box 11329

Columbia, SC 29211

(803) 896-4300

Tennessee

Commissioner

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

710 James Robertson Parkway

Andrew Johnson Tower

Nashville, TN 37243-0659

(615) 741-2582
52

Utah

Commissioner

Labor Commission of Utah

160 East 300 South Street, 3rd floor

P.O. Box 146650

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

(801) 530-6901

Vermont

Commissioner

Vermont Department of Labor and Industry

National Life Building, Drawer 20

120 State Street

Montpelier VT 05620-3401

(802) 828-2288

Virgin Islands

Commissioner

Virgin Islands Department of Labor

2203 Church Street

Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820-4660

(340) 773-1990

Virginia

Commissioner

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry

Powers–Taylor Building

13 South, 13th Street

Richmond, VA 23219

(804) 786-2377

Washington

Director

Washington Department of Labor and Industries

P.O. Box 44001

Olympia, WA 98504-4001

(360) 902-4200 (5430)
53

Wyoming

Administrator

Worker’s Safety and Compensation

 Division (WSC)

Wyoming Department of Employment

Herschler Building, 2nd Floor East

122 West 25th Street

Cheyenne, WY 82002

(307) 777-7786
54

OSHA Onsite Consultation Offices

Alabama

Safety State Program University of Alabama

432 Martha Parham West

Post Office Box 870388

Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

(205) 348-3033

Alaska

Consultation Section

ADOL/AKOSH

3301 Eagle Street

Post Office Box 107022

Anchorage, AK 99510-7022

(907) 269-4957

Arizona

Consultation and Training

Division of Occupational Safety & Health

Industrial Commission of Arizona

800 West Washington

Phoenix, AZ 85007-9070

(602) 542-1695

Arkansas

OSHA Consultation

Arkansas Department of Labor

10421 West Markham

Little Rock, AR 72205

(501) 682-4522

California

CAL/OSHA Consultation Service

2424 Arden Way, Suite 410

Sacramento, CA 95825

(916) 263-2856
55

Colorado

Occupational Safety and Health Section

Colorado State University

133 Environmental Health Building

Fort Collins, CO 80523

(970) 491-6151

Connecticut

Division of Occupational Safety and Health

Connecticut Department of Labor

38 Wolcott Hill Road

Wethersfield, CT 06109

(860) 566-4550

Delaware

Occupational Safety and Health

Division of Industrial Affairs

Delaware Department of Labor

4425 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19802

(302) 761-8219

District of Columbia

Office of Occupational Safety and Health

D.C. Dept of Employment Services

950 Upshur Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20011

(202) 541-3727

Florida

Director of Environmental Safety and Health

Environmental and Occupational Health

College of Public Health

4003 East Fowler Avenue

Tampa, FL 33617

(813) 974-9962
56

Georgia

Onsite Consultation Program

Georgia Institute of Technology

O’Keefe Building, Room 22

151 6th Street, N.W.

Atlanta, GA 30332-0837

(404) 894-2643

Guam

OSHA Onsite Consultation

Dept. of Labor, Government of Guam

107 F Street

Tiyam, GU 96931

9-1-(671) 475-1101

Hawaii

Consultation and Training Branch

Dept of Labor and Industrial Relations

830 Punchbowl Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

(808) 586-9100

Idaho

Safety and Health Consultation Program

Boise State University

Safety & Health Consultation Department

1910 University Drive

Boise, ID 83725

(208) 426-3283

Illinois

Illinois Onsite Consultation

Industrial Service Division

Department of Commerce and Community Affairs

State of Illinois Center, Suite 3-400

100 West Randolph Street

Chicago, IL 60601

(312) 814-2337
57

Indiana

Division of Labor

Bureau of Safety, Education and Training

Room W195

402 West Washington

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2287

(317) 232-2688

Iowa

Iowa Workforce Development Labor Services

Bureau of Consultation and Education

1000 East Grand Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50319

(515) 281-7629

Kansas

21D Consultation Program

Kansas Department of Human Resources

512 South West 6th Street

Topeka, KS 66603-3150

(785) 296-2551

Kentucky

Division of Education and Training

Kentucky Labor Cabinet

1047 U.S. Highway 127, South

Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 564-6895

Louisiana

7(c)(1) Consultation Program

Louisiana Department of Labor

1001 N. 23rd Street, Room 421

Post Office Box 94040

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9094

(225) 342-9601
58

Maine

Division of Industrial Safety

Maine Bureau of Labor Standards

Workplace Safety and Health Division

State House Station #45

Augusta, ME 04333-0045

(207) 624-6400

Maryland

MOSH Consultation Services

Attention: Ms. Colleen Ridler

312 Marshall Avenue Rm 600

Laurel, MD 20707

(410) 880-4970

Massachusetts

Division of Occupational Safety and Health

Department of Workforce Development

1001 Watertown Street

West Newton, MA 02165

(617) 727-3982

Michigan

Consultation Education and Training Division

Bureau of Safety and Regulation

Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services

7150 Harris Drive, Post Office Box 30643

Lansing, MI 48909-8143

(517) 322-1809

Minnesota

Department of Labor and Industry

Consultation Division

443 LaFayette Road North

Saint Paul, MN 55155

(651) 284-5060
59

Mississippi

Mississippi State University

Center for Safety and Health

106 Crosspark Drive, Suite C

Pearl, MS 39216

(601) 939-2047

Missouri

Onsite Consultation Program

Division of Labor Standards

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

3315 West Truman Boulevard, Room 205

Post Office Box 449

Jefferson City, MO 65109

(573) 751-3403

Montana

Department of Labor and Industry

Bureau of Safety

Post Office Box 1728

Helena, MT 59624-1728

(406) 444-6418

Nebraska

Division of Safety and Labor Standards

Nebraska Department of Labor

State Office Building, Lower Level

301 Centennial Mall, South

Lincoln, NE 68509-5024

(402) 471-4717

Nevada

Safety Consultation and Training Section

Division of Industrial Relations

Department of Business and Industry

1301 North Green Valley Parkway

Henderson, NV 89074

(702) 486-9140
60

New Hampshire

New Hampshire

Department of Health and Human Services

Office of Community & Public Health

6 Hazen Drive

Concord, NH 03301-6527

(603) 271-2024

New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Labor

Division of Public Safety and

Occupational Safety and Health

225 E. State Street, 8th Floor West

P.O. Box 953

Trenton, NJ 08625-0953

(609) 292-3923

New Mexico

New Mexico Environment Dept

Occupational Health & Safety Bureau

525 Camino de los Marquez, Suite 3

Post Office Box 26110

Santa Fe, NM 87502

(505) 827-4230

New York

Division of Safety and Health

State Office Campus

Building 12, Room 168

Albany, NY 12240

(518) 457-2238

North Carolina

Bureau of Consultative Services

NC Department of Labor — OSHA Division

4 West Edenton Street

Raleigh, NC 27601-1092

(919) 807-2905
61

North Dakota

Division of Environmental Engineering

Room 304

1200 Missouri Avenue

Bismarck, ND 58504

(701) 328-5188

Ohio

On-Site Consultation Program

Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health

LAWS Division/Ohio Department of Commerce

50 W. Broad Street, Suite 2900

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 644-2631

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Department of Labor

OSHA Division

4001 North Lincoln Boulevard

Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5212

(405) 528-1500

Oregon

Oregon OSHA

Department of Consumer and Business Services

350 Winter Street, N.E., Room 430

Salem, OR 97301-3882

(503) 378-3272

Pennsylvania

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Room 210, Walsh Hall

302 E. Walk

Indiana, PA 15705-1087

(724) 357-2396
62

Puerto Rico

Occupational Safety and Health Office

Department of Labor and Human Resources

21st Floor

505 Munoz Rivera Avenue

Hato Rey, PR 00918

(787) 754-2171

Rhode Island

OSHA Consultation Program

Division of Occupational Health and Radiation Control

Rhode Island Department of Health

3 Capital Hill, Room 206

Providence, RI 02908

(401) 222-2438

South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

3600 Forest Drive

Post Office Box 11329

Columbia, SC 29204

(803) 734-9614

South Dakota

Engineering Extension

Onsite Technical Division

SD State University, West Hall

Box 510, 907 Harvey Dunn Street

Brookings, SD 57007

(605) 688-4101

Tennessee

OSHA Consultative Services Division

Tennessee Department of Labor

3rd Floor

710 James Robertson Parkway

Nashville, TN 37243-0659

(615) 741-7036
63

Texas

Workers’ Health and Safety Division

Workers’ Compensation Commission

Southfield Building

4000 South I H 35

Austin, TX 78704

(512) 804-4640

Utah

State of Utah Labor Commission

Workplace Safety and Health

Consultation Services

160 East 300 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

(801) 530-6901

Vermont

Division of Occupational Safety and Health

Vermont Department of Labor and Industry

National Life Building, Drawer #20

Montepilier, VT 05620-3401

(802) 828-2765

Virginia

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry

Occupational Safety and Health

Training and Consultation

13 South 13th Street

Richmond, VA 23219

(804) 786-6359

Virgin Islands

Division of Occupational Safety and Health

Virgin Islands Department of Labor

3021 Golden Rock

Christiansted St. Croix, VI 00840

(809) 772-1315
64

Washington

Washington Dept of Labor and Industries

Division of Industrial Safety and Health

Post Office Box 44643

Olympia, WA 98504

(360) 902-5638

West Virginia

West Virginia Department of Labor

Capitol Complex Building #6

Room 319

Charleston, WV 25305

(304) 558-7890

Wisconsin (Health)

Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

Division of Health

Bureau of Occupational Health

1 West Wilson Street, Room B157

PO Box 2659

Madison, WI 53701-2659

(608) 266-9383

Wisconsin (Safety)

Wisconsin Safety Consultation

N14W23833 Stone Ridge Drive, Suite B100

Waukesha, WI 53188-1125

(262) 523-3044

Wyoming

Wyoming Department of Employment

Workers’ Safety and Compensation Division

Herschler Building, 2 East

122 West 25th Street

Cheyenne, WY 82002

(307) 777-7786
This booklet provides a generic overview of a

standards-related topic. This publication does not alter or

determine compliance responsibilities, which are described

in the OSHA standards and the Occupational Safety

and Health Act. Because interpretations and enforcement

policy may change over time, the best sources for additional

guidance on OSHA compliance requirements are current

administrative interpretations and decisions by the

Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and

the courts. This publication is in the public domain and

may be reproduced fully or partially without permission.

Source credit is requested but not required.

OSHA will make this information available to sensory

impaired individuals upon request. Call (202) 693 –1999.

The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889–5627.

U.S. Department of Labor

Elaine L. Chao, Secretary

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary

OSHA 3075

2002 (Revised)
U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3075

2002 (Revised)