Because the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration allows states to administer their own occupational safety and health programs, Tennessee enforces its own Official State Plan, covering workers employed by state and local governments as well as many private sector employers.
The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), part of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, is responsible for enforcing and overseeing all workplace safety requirements within the state under its authority.
While Tennessee’s State Plan incorporates many OSHA regulations, it also includes its own distinct General Industry Standards such as:
Smoking in the Workplace
Firefighter Protection
Electrical Hazards
Sharps Injury Prevention
Hazard Communication
Handling of Toxic Chemicals
OSHA recommends that workers in supervisory roles complete the OSHA 30 Hour course, while entry-level workers should take the OSHA 10 Hour course to obtain their Department of Labor (DOL) cards. These training programs are widely recognized by Tennessee employers and are highly valued for ensuring workplace safety awareness across various industries.
Certain employee groups in Tennessee remain under federal OSHA jurisdiction, including:
Federal government employees
U.S. Postal Service employees and private contractors operating USPS facilities
Maritime workers (except those involved in marine construction, which TOSHA regulates)
Railroad employees (unless regulated by another federal agency)
Workers on military bases and Tennessee Valley Authority facilities
Aircraft cabin crew during flight operations
Any workplace, hazard, or operation where the State Plan cannot effectively exercise jurisdiction
