Hawaii OSHA : What you need to know

· Rules. Hawaii is a “state-plan” state, which means it has its own federally approved occupational safety and health regulatory program. State law governs occupational safety and health in both the public and private sector workplaces, except for domestic employment and mines. The state has adopted most of the federal safety and health standards by reference and has added requirements for construction crane operators, noise protection, permissible exposure limits (PELs), and written safety plans that are stricter than federal rules.

· Administration and enforcement. HIOSH administers and enforces safety and health requirements in private and public sector workplaces.

HIOSH protects workers from occupational hazards by regulating employers through its occupational safety and health rules. HIOSH Compliance Officers (OSHCOs) and Environmental Health Specialists (EHSs) perform inspections on the basis of complaints and targeted programs. HIOSH issues monetary citations for serious violations of standards.

An employer may challenge the validity of citations or penalties through DLIR's Appeals Board.

HIOSH also protects the general public through its elevator, amusement ride, boiler, and pressure vessel inspection programs.

Any employer that has one or more employees, including public sector (i.e., state, county, and local governments or other political subdivisions of the state) employers, is covered under state safety and health rules. The law covers workplaces in general industry, construction, maritime, and agricultural workplaces.

Employers with more than 25 ...