About the Tennessee State Plan

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (TOSHA) plan was approved on July 5, 1973. Based on the 18(e) Evaluation Report for the period of October 1982 through March 1984, and after opportunity for public comment, the Assistant Secretary determined that in operation the State of Tennessee's occupational safety 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 Part 1902. Accordingly, the Tennessee plan was granted final approval and concurrent Federal enforcement authority was relinquished under section 18(e) of the Act effective July 22, 1985.

TOSHA operates six area offices located strategically around the State of Tennessee. These offices include a central office in Nashville and six field offices located in Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Kingsport, Jackson and Nashville, TN.

Jurisdiction

The Tennessee plan exercises jurisdiction over all private and public sector employers and employees within the State except private sector maritime activities; railroad employment, not otherwise regulated by another Federal agency; employment at Tennessee Valley Authority facilities; military bases; Federal government employers and employees; and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). See 29 CFR 1952.225.

Regulations and Standards

States must set job safety and health standards that are "at least as effective as" comparable federal standards. (Most States adopt standards identical to federal ones.) States have the option to promulgate standards covering hazards not addressed by federal standards.

Tennessee has a limited number of state-specific standards (or standards that were adopted with requirements different from those of federal OSHA). A list of these standards is provided below with a Web link for additional details.

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Standards for General Industry are the same as the Federal Standards with the following exceptions:

The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development does not adopt the following federal occupational safety and health standards:

Note: In lieu of the current federal occupational safety and health standards codified in 29CFR 1910.1000, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development adopts the standards limiting exposure to air contaminants as contained in subparagraph (b) of Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Rule 0800-1-1-.07(2). Any reference to 29 CFR 1910.1000 or any part of that standard will be a reference to Rule 0800-1-1-.07(2) (b). [PDF 816K]

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Standards for Construction are the same as the Federal Standard with the following exceptions:

The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development does not adopt the following federal occupational safety and health standards:

Please see Rule 0800-1-6. [PDF 24K]

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Standards for Agriculture are the same as the Federal Standard. Please see Rule 0800-01-07. [PDF 20K]

The Tennessee Right-to-Know Law provides additional requirements that substantially add to the Federal Hazard Communication standards contained in 29 CFR 1910.1200 and 29 CFR 1926.59. Please see Rule 0800-01-09. [PDF 60K]

The Tennessee standard for Bloodborne Pathogen also provides additional requirements that are not contained in the Federal Bloodborne Pathogen standard 29 CFR 1910.1030. Please see Rule 0800-01-10. [PDF 16K]

Safety and Health Enforcement Programs

The safety compliance section of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (TOSHA) is responsible for enforcement of the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1972 (Title 5, Chapter 3) with emphasis on employee exposures to physical hazards. Physical hazards include but are not limited to construction, machine hazards, walking and working surfaces, flammable and combustible liquids, trenching, motorized equipment, electrical, explosives, fire protection, compressed gases, welding and means of egress.

The state's Health Compliance Officers have been trained as industrial hygienists to evaluate workplaces for chemical, physical and biological hazards. They are involved with monitoring and analyzing occupational health conditions in the workplace to detect the extent of exposure and the engineering and other methods (work practices and personal protective equipment) needed to control these hazards.

Employers are required to report all workplace fatalities or catastrophes (three or more employees hospitalized from one incident) within 8 hours of occurrence. The toll free number is 1-800-249-8510.

Voluntary and Cooperative Programs

Policies and Procedures

Additional information on Tennessee's Program Directives can be found on the TOSHA web site.

Informal Conferences and Appeals

The Tennessee OSH Review Commission is a quasi-judicial body empowered to hear and rule on appeals regarding citations issued by the State Program. The OSH Review Commission may affirm, modify or revoke a citation, as well as any monetary penalty. The Commission consists of three members appointed by the governor, to serve on the body for three-year terms. Rules of the OSH Review Commission are available on the web site.

Other Resources

Publications and Posters

Tennessee Department of Labor

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
220 French Landing Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37243

PH: (615) 741-2582
FAX: (615) 741-5078

For detailed contact information visit the TOSHA web site.