Kentucky State Plan aligns with federal OSHA

Effective June 27, Kentucky occupational safety and health (OSH) standards will be limited to those enforced by federal OSHA. The state will no longer adopt, promulgate, or enforce OSH rules that are more stringent than federal OSHA.

The new rule, House Bill 398, also establishes time limits for workers to file retaliation claims (30 days) with Kentucky OSH and for the agency to issue citations for safety violations (six months). These changes align with federal OSHA.

Kentucky operates an OSHA-approved State Plan covering most private sector workers and all state and local government workers. Currently, the state’s OSH standards consist of state-specific standards unique to Kentucky, OSHA standards incorporated with state-specific provisions, and OSHA standards incorporated without change.