We're sorry, but OSHAcademy doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript or install a browser that supports Javascript.

600 Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health
Skip to main content

OSHA Jurisdiction

The OSH Act covers most private sector employers and their workers, in addition to some public sector employers and workers in the 50 states and certain territories and jurisdictions under federal authority. Those jurisdictions include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Wake Island, Johnston Island, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands as defined in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

OSHA covers most private sector employers and workers.

State Plans

State Plans are OSHA-approved workplace safety and health programs operated by individual states or U.S. territories. There are 22 State Plans covering both the private sector and state and local government workers, and there are six State Plans covering only state and local government workers. State Plans are monitored by OSHA and must be at least as effective as OSHA in protecting workers and in preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.

For more information see: OSHA's State Plan Page

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-3. State-run OSHA safety and health programs must be _____.