History
Since 1972, the mission of the Kentucky OSH Program has been to prevent any detriment to the safety and health of all public and private sector employees arising out of exposure to harmful conditions or practices at places of work.
This is accomplished by the dual approach of firm, fair enforcement that may bear citations with monetary penalties for violations of OSH standards or regulations, coupled with the offer of cost-free voluntary compliance assistance through on-site consultative surveys, training courses, and technical assistance. This balanced, common sense approach has improved Kentucky's work environment and prevented countless work-related injuries and illnesses since the inception of the Kentucky OSH Program.
The primary components of the Kentucky OSH Program include:
- The Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance;
- The Division of Occupational Safety and Health Education and Training; and
- Office of Federal-State Coordinator.
Additionally, the OSH Standards Board and the OSH Review Commission are associated with the program.
OSH Program at a Glance
Established
- By the General Assembly in 1972
- State Plan approved by OSHA in 1973
Enabling Legislation
- Kentucky Revised Statutes
- Title XXVII - Labor and Human Rights
- Chapter 338 - Occupational Safety and Health of Employees
Administrative Regulations
- Kentucky Administrative Regulations
- Title 803, Chapter 2 - Occupational Safety and Health
Mission
- To prevent any detriment to the safety and health of all public and private sector employees arising out of exposure to harmful conditions or practices at places of work.
Jurisdiction All public and private employers and employees with the exception of those in private sector maritime activities, federal employees, employment at Tennessee Valley Authority facilities, military bases, and any properties ceded to the U.S. government.
Organizational Units
- Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance
- Division of Occupational Safety and Health Education and Training
- Office of OSH Federal-State Coordinator
Associated Entities
- Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board
- Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
Funding Sources
- Workers' Compensation Funding Commission
- U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA
- U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Address
Kentucky Labor Cabinet
Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program
500 Mero Street, 3rd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Division of Compliance
The Division of Compliance is responsible for the enforcement of Kentucky's Occupational Safety and Health Standards. Safety compliance officers and industrial hygienists inspect workplaces to assure there are no hazardous conditions that would threaten the health or safety of workers. Should such a condition be found, inspectors may issue citations for violations of Kentucky statutes or standards. Inspections may be the result of regular scheduling, imminent danger reports, accident or fatality reports, employee complaints or referrals from other agencies.
View the OSH Division of Compliance
Division of Education and Training
The Division of Education and Training assists employers and employees by promoting voluntary compliance with the OSH standards. This cost-free assistance consists of education, technical training, consultation, publications, and information on injury/illness recordkeeping requirements. The Division of Education and Training is also responsible for overseeing the Partnership Programs as well as conducting the Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, and the OSHA Data Collection.
Fatality Data
Reporting Requirements
Employers are required to report workplace fatalities, amputations, and hospitalizations to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance.
For all workplace fatality and injury data, please visit the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
View all available courses and webinars at
KYSAFE eTraining.
OSH State Plan
The Kentucky State Plan represents the formal agreement between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA.
List of approved state plans
Volume I
- Table of Contents for Kentucky OSH State Plan; Appendix I
- Plan Narrative; Appendix II
-
Statutes; Appendix III
- Legislation Affecting KRS Chapter 338; Appendix IV
- Executive Orders; Appendix V
- Executive Orders - Governor's Correspondence; Appendix VI
- Attorney General Opinions; Appendix VII
- OSH Program - Administrative Regulations; Appendix VIII
- OSH Standards - Administrative Regulations; Appendix IX
Volume II
- Compliance Field Operations Manual; Appendix I
- Kentucky OSH Technical Manual; Appendix II
- OSH Review Commission; Appendix III
- Disclosure and Publicity; Appendix IV
Volume III
- Interagency Agreement and Agreement Contracts; Appendix I
- Kentucky OSH Posters; Appendix II
- Voluntary Compliance Programs, Division of Education and Training Operations Manual; Appendix III
- Memorandum of Agreements; Appendix IV
- Organization Charts, Staffing Patterns and Position Descriptions; Appendix V
- Kentucky OSH Standards Board; Appendix VI
Volume IV
- Evaluation; Appendix I
- Federal/State Documents; Appendix II
- 23(g) Operational Grant; Appendix III (See Volume IV-A)
Review Commission
The Review Commission, also created by KRS Chapter 338, is an independent, quasi-judicial body empowered to adjudicate contested OSH cases. The Commission consists of three (3) members appointed by the Governor to represent the interests of employers, employees, and the occupational safety and health profession. Under an agreement with the Attorney General's Office, first-level contests are heard and ruled upon by hearing officers employed by the Attorney General.
View the Review Commission Website
Federal-State Coordinator
This office is responsible for maintaining the State Plan, as well as handling day-to-day communications with other government agencies, both at the state and federal level, including the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, BLS, and other state OSH programs.
The Office of the Federal-State Coordinator oversees the Office of Standards Interpretation and Development. Safety and Health Standards Specialists from this office serve as support staff to the OSH Program, the OSH Standards Board, promulgate OSH regulations, respond to OSH inquiries, and provide interpretations of OSH standards and regulations.
Required Workplace Posters
Please click here to see the list of Required Posters on our
Wages and Hours page.