Idaho OSHA : What you need to know

· Rules. Idaho is not a “state plan” state; that is, it does not have a federally approved occupational safety and health regulatory program. Therefore, private sector workplaces are regulated by the federal standards.

The state has adopted its own workplace safety and health rules for public (state and local government and other political subdivisions) sector employers, including guidance on specific activities that are stricter than federal rules for fire prevention and emergency evacuations.

· Administration and enforcement. OSHA administers and enforces workplace safety and health regulations at private facilities in the state. The Idaho Division of Building Safety conducts safety and health inspections of public sector workplaces.

State law defines “public employers” as government offices and operations, fire departments and ambulance services, counties, cities, public schools, municipal corporations, and other political subdivisions.

Free on-site consultation and assistance is available to Idaho employers through Boise State University’s Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program (OSHCon). OSHCon helps employers identify and correct specific hazards, as well as develop injury and illness prevention programs, training, and education services. OSHCon services are completely separate from federal OSHA's enforcement arm, and OSHA ensures employers that their name, firm name, and any other information about their workplace will not be routinely addressed to the OSHA inspection staff.