Iowa OSHA : What you need to know

Rules. Iowa is a “state plan” state; that is, it has a federally approved occupational safety and health regulatory program. IOSHA, which has to be at least as stringent as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act, governs workplace safety and health in both the public and private sectors. The state has adopted the federal requirements by reference, and has added hazard communication training provisions that are stricter than federal rules. For detailed information, see the state section HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD.

Administration and enforcement. IOSH administers and enforces occupational safety and health requirements in Iowa.

The Iowa Division of Labor Services runs a free consultation and education program for Iowa businesses in need of assistance with state safety and health laws. The program provides “no fee, no risk” on-site safety inspection, safety training, and hazard recognition at employers’ requests for all private and public employees. The program helps employers identify potential hazards and improve their safety and health management systems. The service is completely separate from the enforcement section. No citations are issued or penalties proposed during consultations. Participation may qualify the employer for a 1-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections. Most consultations take place on-site, though limited services away from the worksite are available. The education section loans safety videos, provides state and federal safety and health publications, and gives training lectures and seminars.