Where does OSHA not apply?
Asked by: Ms. Eudora Ratke | Last update: January 16, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (55 votes)
Those not covered by the OSH Act include: self-employed workers, immediate family members of farm employers, and workers whose hazards are regulated by another federal agency (for example, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, or Coast Guard).
What places are not covered by OSHA?
The categories of workers not covered by federal OSHA include volunteers and temporary workers, self-employed workers, family members of farm workers, workers in industries regulated by an agency other than OSHA, and state and local government employees.
What do OSHA standards do not apply to?
OSHA regulations do not apply to all employees in the public sector (municipal, country, state, or federal government agencies), self-employed individuals, family members operating a farm, or domestic household workers.
Where does OSHA not have jurisdiction?
Federal OSHA has no jurisdiction over State, municipal, or volunteer fire departments. OSHA.gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
When would the OSHA standards not apply?
The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards generally apply to almost all private sector employers and their workers in the United States. However, there are some exceptions where OSHA standards may not apply. First, self-employed individuals are not covered by OSHA regulations.
Does OSHA Apply to Small Businesses?
Do OSHA requirements apply in all states?
OSHA covers most private sector employers and workers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the other United States (U.S.) jurisdictions – either directly through OSHA or through an OSHA-approved State Plan.
What is exempt from OSHA?
Federal and State Regulated Industries – Full exemption
OSHA does not govern employers and employees in industries that are regulated by Federal and State agencies. For example, mining companies and nuclear power plants do not operate under the authority of OSHA because they are regulated by other government agencies.
Does OSHA apply to jails?
652(5), defines an "employer" as "...a person engaged in a business affecting commerce who has employees, but does not include ... any State or political subdivision of a state." Thus, the OSH Act does not cover prisons operated by a state or local government.
Does OSHA apply to firefighters?
The standard will apply broadly and through state-regulated, OSHA-approved plans to include Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
Where there is no specific OSHA standard employers must comply?
Employers must also comply with the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act. This clause requires employers to keep their workplaces free of serious recognized hazards and is generally cited when no specific OSHA standard applies to the hazard.
Which section is not regulated by OSHA?
*Note: Since other Agencies regulate this information, OSHA will not be enforcing Sections 12 through 15 (29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2)). Employers must ensure that SDSs are readily accessible to employees.
What does OSHA not protect?
Self-employed workers – Individuals who are the sole proprietor and employee of their company – are neither regulated by the OSHA Act, nor covered by its worker protections. A business must have at least two employees (one of which can be the employer) to be covered under OSHA.
Does OSHA apply to airports?
It's critical that all the personnel in the aviation industry are protected from workplace hazards. This is where the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a critical role in ensuring that aviation workers are protected and that industry standards prioritize the well-being of all personnel.
Does OSHA apply on tribal land?
The OSH Act charges OSHA with the responsibility to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women. OSHA has always considered the OSH Act to be a statute of general applicability. Therefore, the OSH Act reaches workplaces located on tribal lands and operated by tribal employers.
What is the biggest OSHA fine?
- BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (2010): $81,340,000.
- BP America Refinery Explosion (2005): $21,361,500. ...
- IMC Fertilizer/Angus Chemical Fertilizer Plant Blast (1991): $11,550,000. ...
- Imperial Sugar Company Explosion (2008): $8,777,500. ...
- Kleen Energy Natural Gas Explosion (2010): $8,347,000. ...
Do all employers have to comply with OSHA?
OSHA's mission is to ensure that employees work in a safe and healthful environment by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. Employers must comply with all applicable OSHA standards.
Which workers are not covered by OSHA?
Those not covered by the OSH Act include: self-employed workers, immediate family members of farm employers, and workers whose hazards are regulated by another federal agency (for example, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, or Coast Guard).
What is the 2 in 2 out rule in firefighting?
This assures that the "two in" can monitor each other and assist with equipment failure or entrapment or other hazards, and the "two out" can monitor those in the building, initiate rescue, or call for back-up. One of the "two out" can be assigned another role such as incident commander.
Does OSHA apply to first responders?
While OSHA does not directly cover volunteer emergency responders, some OSHA State Plans treat volunteers as employees under state law, which is how a federal proposed standard could affect volunteer responders in those State Plan states.
Who is exempt from OSHA regulations?
Employers with Ten or Fewer Employees
Small enterprises with ten or fewer employees are exempt from OSHA regulations. They can follow other larger organizations' extensive record-keeping requirements. They only need to keep injury and illness records if OSHA asks explicitly for this data to be provided.
Does OSHA apply to police?
OSHA law, with few exceptions, is based on activity or function, not the name of the employer. There are no “law enforcement” standards as such, instead, it is necessary to examine each activity that a law enforcement officer might do, individually, and apply the appropriate standard.
Who gets in trouble for OSHA violations?
Any employer who willfully or repeatedly violates the requirements of section 5 of this Act, any standard, rule, or order promulgated pursuant to section 6 of this Act, or regulations prescribed pursuant to this Act, may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $70,000 for each violation, but not less than $5,000 ...
What is the 10 employee rule?
To determine if you are exempt because of size, you need to determine your company's peak employment during the last calendar year. If you had 10 or fewer employees at all times in the last calendar year, your company qualifies for the partial exemption for size. Note: Authority cited: Section 6410, Labor Code.
Can you refuse OSHA?
If the condition clearly presents a risk of death or serious physical harm, there is not sufficient time for OSHA to inspect, and, where possible, a worker has brought the condition to the attention of the employer, the worker may have a legal right to refuse to work in a situation in which he or she would be exposed ...
Do restaurants have to report to OSHA?
Severe injuries include any work-related fatalities, hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye. These incidents must be reported to OSHA within 24 hours of the occurrence. This reporting requirement applies regardless of the size of your restaurant or the number of employees.