Only a few states, including New Jersey, operate under their own State Plan. In New Jersey, the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) program serves as the regulatory agency responsible for overseeing occupational safety and health standards for state, county, and local government employees. The New Jersey State Plan establishes a range of safety training standards and programs tailored to meet the needs of public sector workers.
With a few exceptions, the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) program has adopted and enforces the majority of OSHA Standards and Regulations. These exceptions include:
Firefighters: NJAC 12:100-8 replaces OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910 Subpart L with the PEOSH Standards for Firefighters.
Hazard Communication: PEOSH enforces the Hazard Communication Standard (NJAC 12:100-7), which is based on OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.1200.
New Jersey’s State Plan consists of two distinct standards and is managed across four public agencies. While most of the safety training requirements under PEOSH align closely with Federal OSHA standards, there are unique elements specific to New Jersey.
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDLWD): Handles enforcement of standards and processes workplace safety complaints.
New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH): Manages health hazard complaints and enforces Indoor Air Quality regulations.
Office of Public Employees’ Occupational Safety and Health (OPEOSH): Conducts routine and complaint-based inspections under NJDLWD authority.
Public Sector: Must comply with PEOSH regulations and are often required to meet additional federal OSHA training standards.
Private Sector: Falls under Federal OSHA jurisdiction and is not subject to PEOSH regulations.
Despite jurisdictional differences, many of the training requirements between PEOSH and Federal OSHA are aligned, allowing employers to meet both sets of standards with minimal conflict.
Indoor Air Quality – NJAC 12:100-13
Indoor Firing Ranges – NJAC 12:100-8
While OSHA training (commonly referred to as DOL Cards) is not legally required for all workers in New Jersey, some employers—especially in the construction industry—may mandate completion of the OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour Construction training courses to ensure job site safety awareness and compliance.
