OSHA Proposes to Reconsider Arizona State OSHA Plan
OSHA says the agency’s policies are not as effective as federal OSHA standards.
- By Alex Saurman
- Apr 21, 2022
In order for a state to operate under their own state occupational safety and health plan, it has to be at least as effective as the rules put forth by federal OSHA. It seems that Arizona's State Plan may be falling down on the job as yesterday OSHA said it may reconsider Arizona's right to have a State Plan.
According to a press release, OSHA said it is proposing to reconsider or revoke the State Plan. The State Plan, originally approved in June 1985, has shown what OSHA calls “nearly a decade-long pattern of failures.” Per OSHA, the Arizona agency has not adopted various standards such as “adequate maximum penalty levels, occupational safety and health standards, National Emphasis Programs and—most recently—the COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard.”
Under the OSH Act, state plans are required to meet the minimum requirements of federal OSHA plans. State plans are monitored and funded up to 50 percent by federal OSHA.
OSHA has posted the proposal for comment online. The public can comment until May 26, 2022. Following a review of comments and possible hearing, OSHA will announce its decision at a later time.
Edit May 26, 2022: OSHA recently changed the comment deadline. The public can make comments until July 5, 2022.