Massachusetts Safety and Health laws & HR compliance analysis

Massachusetts Safety and Health: What you need to know

Health and safety in the workplace are regulated in large part according to standards adopted under the OSH Act, a federal law. Massachusetts does not have its own approved occupational safety and health regulatory program; therefore, the federal standards are the governing law of the state in private sector workplaces. There is additional information and a detailed discussion of the federal regulations.

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Massachusetts has adopted its own state worker right-to-know law governing workplace safety and health that covers public sector employers (state and local governments, schools, etc.). There are no additional safety and health rules for public sector workplaces. The Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development/Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) administers worker right-to-know rules for public sector workplaces.

The Occupational Hygiene/Indoor Air Quality Program at DOS conducts free investigations of workplace health hazards upon request of an employer, employee, union, or board of health, or upon referral by another agency or health professional.

Although the focus of the program is primarily public sector workplaces, the program also provides assistance and inspections in private sector workplaces when issues not specifically covered by OSHA are involved (such as indoor air quality).

Investigations can be done in a variety of work settings ranging from schools and offices to public works garages. The investigations may include air sampling for hazardous air contaminants and evaluations of written programs. There is no charge for such services; however, DOS requires that any serious hazards found during any investigation be corrected in a reasonable ...

More on this topic:

Federal And State Law

State Indoor Air Quality Program

Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)

State Requirements

Massachusetts Safety and Health Resources

Type	Title
Checklists	Wellness Program Compliance Checklist
Forms	Bloodborne Pathogens Training Compliance Form—Notice of Right to Trainer Access (Spanish)
Handouts	Workplace Security for Employees (Handout)
Policies	Security (Alternative)
PowerPoints	Workplace Security Safety Presentation
White Papers	Your wellness program may get way more important

See all Safety and Health Resources