State Programs

What this funds

This budget activity supports OSHA-approved State Plan development and enforcement of workplace safety and health standards, compliance assistance, and cooperative programs, including Voluntary Protection Programs. OSHA's State Plans are responsible for workplace safety and health for over 40 percent of U.S. workers. Twenty-two State Plans cover both private- and public-sector employees and seven cover public-sector employees only. Section 23(g) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) authorizes the agency to award matching grants of up to 50 percent of the total operational costs to those states that meet the OSH Act's criteria for establishing and implementing programs for standards and enforcement that are "at least as effective" as Federal OSHA's program. State Plans provide extensive training programs for workers and small businesses throughout the states. Private-sector consultation is provided through all the State Plans, either through participation in the separately funded Consultation program, authorized under Section 21(d) of the OSH Act or, as in two states (Kentucky and Washington), directly under their State Plan 23(g) grant. OSHA works with the State Plans to ensure safety and health policies of the State Plans are "at least as effective" as Federal OSHA's policies. OSHA also ensures the State Plans use resources efficiently, Federal and State initiatives are consistent, and State Plans maintain strong consultation and compliance assistance programs. To increase consistency in program operations, OSHA encourages State Plans to participate in the development of national worker protection policies. In furtherance of the collaborative and cooperative dialogue, OSHA meets with all the State Plans three times a year and meets with the State Plan Board an additional three times, to discuss policy issues and unique State Plan approaches to protecting workers. Additionally, OSHA communicates with each State Plan individually throughout the year in quarterly meetings to discuss overall program performance under the agreed-upon State Activity Mandated Measures (SAMM). For each State Plan, OSHA issues a Comprehensive Federal Annual Monitoring Evaluation (FAME) Report every other year, with a follow-up FAME report in the off years. These monitoring efforts help OSHA ensure that State Plans are given the flexibility to address state- OSHA - 37 STATE PROGRAMS specific hazards and industries in unique ways, but that their policies and procedures remain "at least as effective" as Federal OSHA.

Extracted from Occupational Safety and Health Administration, p. 9. Verbatim; nothing here is paraphrased.

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