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About us
Hawaii is one of several states that administer their own occupational safety and health programs according to the provisions of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The OSHA Act permits a state to manage its own occupational safety and health program if it meets certain federal requirements regarding the program's structure and operations. The Hawaii program has been fully approved by OSHA since 1984.
The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Law was enacted in 1973 to assure safe and healthful working conditions for Hawaii's workers. The Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations administers the Hawaii OSH Law (Chapter 396, H.R.S.) through its Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division (HIOSH) and has the authority to enforce all laws and standards concerning safety and health at the worksite. HIOSH standards or rules are contained within Title 12, Subtitle 8 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules.
HIOSH covers nearly all workers in the state, including those employed by state and county governments. Excluded from state coverage are federal employees, workers in the maritime industry, domestic workers, and family farms.
HIOSH consists of four major branches:
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Occupational Safety Branch (OS) enforces occupational safety and health regulations through inspections and investigations. Inspectors have expertise primarily in the occupational safety area.
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Occupational Health Branch (OH) enforces occupational safety and health regulations through inspections and investigations. Inspectors have expertise in the industrial hygiene or occupational health area.
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Consultation and Training Branch (C&T) provides free on-site consultation to employers and information and training on occupational safety and health to employers and employee groups. Requests for assistance from the Consultation and Training Branch are kept confidential from the Occupational Safety and Occupational Health branches.
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Administration and Technical Support Branch (ATS) drafts new or amends existing safety and health standards, acts on petitions for changes to standards and applications for variances, and enforces the discrimination or whistle-blower protection provisions of the Hawaii OSH Law (Section 396-8).
The Hawaii Labor Relations Board (HLRB) hears and adjudicates contests of citations, discrimination orders, penalties and abatement dates.
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