OSHA recognizes Hawaii’s Official State Plan as valid if it meets or exceeds the effectiveness of federal OSHA Standards and Regulations. This State Plan covers all public sector employers and most private sector contractors within Hawaii.
The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division (HIOSH) is responsible for implementing and enforcing the State Plan Standards and Regulations. Operating under the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), HIOSH conducts inspections, provides guidance, and issues penalties as necessary.
While the State Plan primarily follows Federal OSHA Standards and Regulations, certain industries and areas have specific standards unique to Hawaii:
Construction Standards include:
Steel erection
Cranes and derricks
Worker intoxication
Signs, signals, and barricades
General Industry Standards cover:
Noise exposure
Toxic substances
Worker intoxication
Industrial lighting
Safety and health programs
Regarding the scope of Federal OSHA jurisdiction in Hawaii, the following groups fall under federal oversight:
Federal employees and agencies
Private sector personnel working on federal properties, such as military bases and national parks, including contractors and subcontractors
Working conditions for flight attendants on active aircraft
The U.S. Postal Service’s maritime division, which operates from private facilities managed by contractors (excluding maritime construction projects covered by HIOSH)
It is important to note that OSHA does not mandate OSHA Training for workers. However, OSHA strongly recommends that employees complete training relevant to their roles. This includes OSHA Outreach courses such as the OSHA 10 Hour and OSHA 30 Hour programs, which cover a broad range of workplace safety topics in alignment with applicable OSHA Standards.
