Guide to State Agencies for Workplace Safety

Safety regulations in the workplace vary from state to state and industry to industry. It's important to find state agencies for workplace safety so you understand your requirements and the consequences that result from non-compliance.

On-the-job accidents create considerable financial burdens from lost production, the cost of hiring new employees, overtime and repairing or replacing damaged equipment, among other factors. Effective workplace safety regulations can decrease accidents, improve employee safety, lower insurance costs and lessen other costs.

Identifying potential hazards can help develop strategies and new policies to improve workplace safety. Not only can you improve employee safety and potential loss but also avoid any Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines. As you explore your state's workplace safety regulations, consider this information:

1. Under the Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992, employers have a general duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work.

2. OSHA laws for children in the workplace consider young workers at especially high risk of workplace injury because of their inexperience and immature physical, mental and emotional development.

3. Workplace health and safety regulations required by OSHA also include equal opportunity, environmental, immigration and other topics.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research the workplace safety law where you conduct business

Safety guidelines and requirements are spelled out in state law where your business is located. It's best to check with the labor department in your state so that you are in complete compliance. Some states even offer consultation services for those wanting an evaluation of their workplaces.

I recommend: Each state has a governmental department in charge of safety, whether it's called the Department of Labor, Industrial Relations, Labor Commission, OSHA enforcement or something similar. Check out the link that applies to you for Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida or Maryland, or go to the state government web page for your specific state.

Spread the word about workplace health and safety regulations

A key component of workplace safety policies is making sure all employees from top to bottom are aware of and comply with them. A number of tools, including manuals and videos, exist to help you achieve this goal.

I recommend: Create custom safety manuals through Safety Services Company to distribute during employee orientation and specific training sessions on workplace safety. At National Safety Compliance, Inc.'s website you can preview safety videos for free first before you download them. All are OSHA compliant.

Choose software that will help implement workplace safety regulation

Technology has come a long way in helping business leaders manage a variety of workplace issues-safety being just one of them. A number of software options exist to help you keep your safety policies on track and help you document any accidents that may occur.

I recommend: Check out Intelex Technologies Inc.'s safety software system to manage all safety management initiatives. ZeraWare offers software in three major areas: incident reports, accident investigations and safety inspections.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Promoting workplace safety to employees can be done in a number of ways. Some companies have gone to sponsoring an annual workplace safety fair with a variety of entertaining yet educational activities to involve and inform employees.

The official source of State Agencies for Workplace Safety is
the State Agencies for Workplace Safety page at Business.com