Louisiana OSHA : What you need to know

• Rules. Louisiana is not a “state plan” state; that is, it does not have a federally approved occupational safety and health regulatory program. Consequently, private sector employers are governed by the federal OSH Act and must follow federal job safety and health requirements. There are no state safety and health regulations for public sector workplaces. For information on the federal requirements, see the national sections OSHA, HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD, MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET, and TRAINING.

Public sector (state government agencies, commissions, and school systems) workplaces must comply with the requirements of the state’s Loss Prevention Program. Each agency will determine whether site- or task-specific safety rules are necessary and what they will cover for the safety of their employees.

Private sector employers of more than 15 employees must have a fully implemented workplace safety plan in place.

• Administration and enforcement. OSHA administers and enforces occupational safety and health requirements for private sector workplaces. ORM administers the state Loss Prevention Program for public sector workplaces through periodic audits. LWC conducts on-site safety consultations and administers the OSP requirements.

Each branch of state government must develop and implement a comprehensive loss prevention program that must include a statement of safety policy and responsibility, provide for regular and periodic facility and equipment inspections, investigate the job-related accidents of the employees of their departments, offices, or agencies, and establish a program to promote increased safety awareness by ...