Colorado Safety Plans: What you need to know

Private sector employers in Colorado must comply with federal occupational safety and health standards for written safety plans for specific activities (e.g., bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan, hazard communication plan) and for specific hazardous substances. The state does not have its own federally approved occupational safety and health regulatory program for the state.

There are no laws or regulations that govern workplace safety and health in public sector (e.g., state and local offices and operations, school systems, commissions) workplaces in Colorado.

Cost containment program. An employer with a certified cost containment program may qualify for a workers’ compensation insurance premium dividend.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration administers and enforces requirements for safety plans in private sector employers in the state. The Colorado Workers’ Compensation Cost Containment Board (Board) administers the requirements for the cost containment program.

Premium dividends may be earned by employers qualifying for certification by the Board for their cost containment programs under workers’ compensation rules. To qualify, employers must have had a fully functioning, formal program of risk assessment and loss prevention for at least 1 year, including hazard awareness, employee training, safety manuals, claims processing procedures, and other recognized cost-saving measures.