About the Iowa State Plan

The Iowa Division of Labor Services, Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed by the Governor on April 20, 1972. In accordance with Section 18(b) of the Federal OSHA law, Iowa submitted its State Plan on July 19, 1972. On July 20, 1973, the Assistant Secretary published a notice granting initial approval of the Iowa Plan as a developmental plan. On September 14, 1976, the Assistant Secretary certified that Iowa had satisfactorily completed all development steps. The Assistant Secretary determined that the State of Iowa's occupational safety and health program is at least as effective as the Federal program in providing safe and healthful employment and places of employment and meets the criteria for final State Plan approval in section 18(e) of the Act and implementing regulations at 29 CFR 1902. Accordingly, the Iowa plan was granted final approval on July 2, 1985.

Jurisdiction

The Iowa State Plan applies to all public and private sector places of employment in the State with the exception of private sector maritime activities; marine terminals; longshoring; federal government-owned, contractor-operated military/munitions facilities; bridge construction projects spanning the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers between Iowa and other states; federal government employers and employees; and the United States Postal Service; which are subject to Federal OSHA jurisdiction. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration exercises jurisdiction with respect to field sanitation and temporary labor camps. See 29 CFR 1952.160.

Regulations and Standards

States must set job safety and health standards that are "at least as effective” as Federal OSHA standards.
States have the option to promulgate standards covering hazards not addressed by federal standards.
Iowa has a limited number of state-specific standards. A list of these standards is provided below with
a Web link for additional details.

IOSHA Administrative Rules (875)

• Chapter 29 - Sanitation and Shelter Rules for Railroad Employees
• Chapter 110 - Hazardous Chemical Risks Right to Know - General Provisions
• Chapter 130 - Community Right to Know
• Chapter 140 - Public Safety/Emergency Response Right to Know
• Chapter 155 - Asbestos Removal and Encapsulation

Enforcement Programs

Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement is responsible for the enforcement of Iowa's Occupational Safety and Health Standards. Compliance officers inspect workplaces to assure there are not hazardous conditions that threaten the safety or health of workers. Should such a condition be found, citations may be issued. Inspections may be the result of regular scheduling, imminent danger reports, accident or fatality reports, employee complaints, or a referral. Additional information can be found at the Iowa State Plan Website.

Voluntary and Cooperative Programs

Iowa offers a number of voluntary and cooperative programs focused on reducing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
Iowa offers safety and health assistance to employers through a voluntary on-site consultation program. The State also operates successful VPP and SHARP programs. More information on these programs is available at Iowa State Plan Website.

Policies and Procedures

Iowa OSHA follows federal OSHA's Compliance Letters (CPLs), Memos, Instructions and Directives as guidelines to provide assistance to compliance officers, employers and employees on the enforcement of OSHA standards. Most federal CPLs are adopted by Iowa OSHA. A listing of CPLs that have been developed and adopted by Iowa OSHA as "equally effective as" federal OSHA can be found at the Iowa State Plan Website.

Informal Conferences and Appeals

Chapter IV of the IOSH Field Inspection Reference Manual contains information about post inspection procedures to include informal conferences and contest procedures with the Employment Appeal Board.

The three-member Employment Appeal Board is appointed by the Governor and serves as an independent administrative adjudicatory body to hear contests of citations, penalties and abatement periods issued by the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA). Cases may be heard by the Board itself or assigned to Administrative Law Judges. Decisions of the Administrative Law Judges may then be appealed to the Board. The Board's decision may be appealed to the Iowa District Court and ultimately to the Iowa Supreme Court. The three members of the Board are appointed to represent employers, employees and the general public.

The Employment Appeal Board can be contacted at:

Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals
Lucas State Office Building
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0083
PH: 515-281-7102
FAX: 515-242-6863

Other Resources

Iowa Judicial Courts
Division of Labor Forms and Posters
Iowa Safe Youth @ Work Website