Initial Approval Given to Massachusetts for State Health and Safety Plan
The plan will cover local and state government workers.
- By Alex Saurman
- Aug 18, 2022
Massachusetts was given initial approval for its state health and safety plan earlier this week.
According to a trade release, OSHA gave initial approval to the state’s plan covering local and state government workers on Wednesday, August 17. The Massachusetts plan will go into effect on Thursday, August 18, 2022.
More than 430,000 government workers will be covered under the plan.
“Massachusetts’ new state plan is a milestone for its public employees and the state’s development of its occupational safety and health program,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker in the press release. “We commend them for their ongoing commitment to the well-being of government workers who provide vital services to make the state of Massachusetts livable and enjoyable.”
Five other states and one territory, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, New Jersey, New York and the Virgin Islands, have safety and health programs aimed at protecting government workers at the local and state levels. Twenty-two other states have full state plans. One of the most recent states to receive initial approval from OSHA was Maine in 2015 for its local and state government worker plan.
State plans must be “as effective” as federal OSHA and must meet the minimum requirements of the federal plans and standards. If they do not, the plans can be revoked. This year, OSHA proposed reconsidering or revoking Arizona’s state plan.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.