A State OSHA Program - Essay Example

For OSHA to certify a state plan it needs to fulfill certain requirements; have adequate legislation on occupational safety and health, rules and procedures, adequate enforcement capability, penalties and enough manpower that is fully qualified in this field. A state is supposed to have come up with all the above within 3 years for it to be certified (OSHA, 2010). It is important to note that this certification is in regards to only the structure of the plan being complete but not its performance.

The state should show that it is able to inspect and enforce standards within its limits while offering continuous training programs on occupational safety and health.After initial plan approval, OSHA suspends various direct supervisory roles within the state and this usually is under an operational status agreement which offers the state considerable independent in supervision and enforcement. After this, a state is given the final approval whereby OSHA withdraws its operations from that state.