Utah Safety Plans: What you need to know

Utah has adopted the federal requirements for written safety plans for specific activities (e.g., bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan, hazard communication plan) and for specific hazardous substances in both private and public (state and local government) sector workplaces.

Insurance carriers may require employers (policyholders) with high rates of workplace injuries to establish workplace safety programs. A self-insurer must obtain services from an insurance carrier or adjusting company to administer safety programs or provide safety engineering.

The Utah Labor Commission’s Occupational Safety and Health Division administers the workplace safety and health rules in public and private sector workplaces. The Labor Commission’s Industrial Accidents Division administers the workers’ compensation requirements for a workplace safety program.

Insurance carriers may require an employer (policyholder) with an experience modification of 1.00 or higher (i.e., workplace injury rates above the average in the employer’s industry) to establish a workplace safety program. Any employer that fails or refuses to establish a workplace safety program may be assessed a 5 percent increase in existing workers’ compensation premium rates.

A self-insurer must obtain services from an insurance carrier or adjusting company to administer safety programs, or provide safety engineering.