Utah OSHA State Plan Overview
Under the authority granted by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), states in the U.S. may develop and operate their own job safety and health programs. Utah is one such state, operating its own Official State Plan. This plan covers most private sector employees as well as state and local government workers.
Utah’s State Plan adopts many of the Federal OSHA standards, while also implementing state-specific regulations tailored to the unique needs of its workforce. The Utah Occupational Safety and Health Division (UOSH), under the Utah Labor Commission, is responsible for enforcing these safety standards and conducting workplace inspections, training, and outreach.
Administered by the Utah Labor Commission, the Utah Division of Occupational Safety and Health (UOSH) is responsible for implementing the state’s Official OSHA State Plan across industrial facilities. UOSH enforces a combination of Federal OSHA Standards and Utah-specific regulations designed to address the unique needs of industries operating within the state.
Utah has additional safety requirements in construction for:
Grizzlies over bins, tank openings, and chutes
Cranes and derricks
Roofing activities
Asphalt mixing and rock crushing operations
Slow-moving agricultural vehicles
Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for tractors
Agricultural field equipment safety and sanitation
Walking and working surfaces
Combustible and flammable hazardous liquids
Personal protective and lifesaving equipment
Sanitation standards for labor camps
Confined space medical services and first aid
Electrical hazards
Toxic substances and pesticides
In general industry, UOSH enforces standards specific to:
Rail systems
Elevators, escalators, manlifts, aerial trams, and worker hoists
Flammable liquids and solids
Explosives and blasting agents
Filter-based processes and equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Lockout/tagout procedures
Emergency preparedness and response
Crawler locomotives and truck cranes
Conveyor systems and centrifuges
Window cleaning
Foundry operations
Building and house relocation
Meat, food, and tobacco processing
Drilling (excluding oil and gas)
Transportation of workers by motor vehicle
Impairment or intoxication in the workplace
Oil and gas drilling, servicing, and production
Workplaces under UOSH jurisdiction must meet these specialized standards. UOSH also provides free on-site consultations to help employers understand and comply with applicable regulations. While most Federal OSHA standards are enforced, additional Utah-specific regulations are detailed in the Utah Administrative Code, Title R614.
Federal OSHA retains jurisdiction over:
Contract workers and contractor-operated USPS facilities
Hill Air Force Base
U.S. Department of Energy Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserve (if still federally operated)
Tooele Army Depot, including the Tooele Chemical Demilitarization Facility
Agricultural employment covered under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, specifically for:
Field sanitation (29 CFR 1928.110)
Temporary labor camps (29 CFR 1910.142)
Aircraft cabin crew working conditions while in flight
While not federally mandated for all workers, OSHA strongly recommends:
The OSHA 10-Hour course for entry-level employees, and
The OSHA 30-Hour course for supervisors and safety managers
These training programs help workers gain a fundamental understanding of job-specific hazards and safe work practices. Many Utah employers prefer or require OSHA-certified employees, especially in industries like construction, manufacturing, and oil & gas.
