Everyone,

 I just had a colleague email me and say he needed an "OSHA required Safety Plan". Has anyone heard of such a thing? Is it a state requirement or something related to ISO. He's in New Jersey if that makes any difference.

MikeCJ

Mike-

I'm not aware of an "OSHA required Safety Plan".  Based on the help you've given me in the past, I know you're aware of the different types of specific plans that OSHA requires, but I'm certainly not aware of a general plan requirement.  They do have an optional safety system though (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/safetyhealth/index.html).

In terms of the state requirement, if I remember correctly, the NJ state plan only covers public entities - private industry is still under Federal OSHA.  ISO is out of my league so no comment there.

Sorry I can't be more help...

I'm looking through my construction standards book and I've found a topic that requires emergency action plans.  Again, this is for the construction industry.  (29 CFR §1926.35).  The book I have contains the general industry standards that apply to other parts of the CFR as well, but I cannot find anything about an occupational health and safety plan being required as a company policy.

-Justin

I think this would sum it up.  Although it says nothing about it being REQUIRED, OSHA still says, "It's a reaaaaally good idea..."

-Justin

As already pointed out, there are OSHA-required safety plans for certain activities like HAZWOPER and emergency action plans. But OSHA doesn't mandate a formal written safety plan for general operations. I had to research this stuff a while back for a company working in many states. Some states, like California, require written injury prevention plans. About half the states require written general safety plans in high hazard industries under worker's compensation laws. If you have a high experience modification rate, you have to follow their requirements for a formal company-wide safety plan. About a dozen more states offer worker's comp premium reduction incentives if you follow their requirements for a written general plan. I haven't seen any safety plan requirements in New Jersey worker's comp rules.

One of my clients has a subscription to the BLR safety service; they have a general safety and health plan template, and a high hazard safety plan template based on California's requirements. California requirements for a written injury and illness prevention program are as tough as it gets--use that template and you're probably good to meet all other state worker's comp written plan requirements.

"California requirements for a written injury and illness prevention program are as tough as it gets--use that template and you're probably good to meet all other state worker's comp written plan requirements."

As vcedwards stated, California's IIPP requirement is a good benchmark to use if you want one program to apply in multiple states. There are some individual components that may be tougher or more specific than CA's though (Washington State's BBPE program is one that comes to mind). We use our California IIPP as the basis for all safety programs in our western region facilities.