Rule Requirements
What do the Rules Say?
Below is a summary of the OSHA safety committee requirements for each of the 16 states that mandate them. The information includes employee thresholds, meeting frequency, record-keeping, committee composition, and any additional relevant details.
Building a safety committee
Safety Committee Size: Most states require employers to establish a safety committee if they have between 10 and 25 or more employees. The exact threshold varies by state.
Meeting Frequency: Nearly all states require the committee to meet at least quarterly (every three months). Some states, like Louisiana (monthly) and Montana (once every four months), have different frequencies based on industry or size.
Record-Keeping: In every state, minutes of each meeting must be documented and retained. This helps provide a record of discussions, decisions, and follow-up actions.
Committee Composition: Committees must include representatives from both management and employees. Some states, such as New York and Connecticut, require specific representation rules to ensure employee voices are heard, often favoring equal or majority employee representation.
Training: Most states do not mandate specific training for committee members, giving employers flexibility in how they prepare members. A few states, such as New York, allow time for optional training.
Flexibility and Special Provisions: Some states allow for alternatives to full committees (like Hawaii’s trained safety representative), and others require extra features such as accident investigation procedures (Oregon) or written employer responses to committee-raised concerns (New York).
In short, while the details vary, states commonly require employers with a certain number of employees to form a safety committee, hold regular meetings, document those meetings, and include both management and employee voices to promote workplace safety.
Alaska: Employers with 10 or more employees in Alaska are required to establish a safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Minutes of each meeting must be recorded and retained, and the committee must consist of both management and employee representatives to ensure a balanced perspective on workplace safety. There are no specific training requirements mandated for committee members, allowing flexibility in how the committee operates as long as the basic requirements are met.
California: In California, employers with 20 or more employees must have a safety committee that convenes at least quarterly. Written records of these meetings are required to be kept, and the committee must include representatives from both management and employees. This structure supports compliance with California’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program communication rule, and meetings are expected to review the results of inspections and accident investigations to enhance workplace safety.
Connecticut: Connecticut mandates that employers with 25 or more employees maintain a safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Meeting minutes must be documented, and the committee is required to have an equal number of seats for employer and employee representatives, though it may include additional employee representatives if desired. Notably, employee representatives can be appointed directly by employees rather than by the committee chairperson, giving workers more control over their representation.
Hawaii: In Hawaii, employers with 25 or more employees are required to form a safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Records of these meetings must be maintained, and the committee must include both management and employee representatives. However, employers have the alternative option of designating a trained employee to oversee safety responsibilities instead of establishing a full committee, providing flexibility based on the organization’s needs.
Louisiana: Louisiana’s safety committee requirements differ by industry, such as construction, oil, and gas, but generally, employers must have a safety committee that meets at least monthly. Minutes of each meeting must be recorded, and the committee must comprise both management and employee representatives. Beyond the committee, a comprehensive safety plan is required, which includes designating specific employees responsible for safety and ensuring regular safety meetings occur to address industry-specific risks.
Minnesota: Employers in Minnesota with 25 or more employees must establish a joint labor-management safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Meeting records must be kept to document discussions and decisions. Additionally, employers with fewer than 25 employees are still obligated to form a committee if they fall under the AWAIR (A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction) requirements, ensuring broader applicability of safety measures across various workplace sizes.
Montana: In Montana, employers with more than 5 employees are required to have a safety committee that meets at least once every four months. Minutes of these meetings must be documented, and the committee should include both employee and employer representatives. It is recommended that the committee be large enough to adequately represent the workforce, with the primary goal of promoting a safety culture and reducing workplace injuries across the organization.
Nevada: Nevada requires employers with 25 or more employees to maintain a safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Records of these meetings must be kept, and the committee must consist of both management and employee representatives to address safety concerns collaboratively. There are no specific training requirements outlined for committee members, allowing employers to determine the best approach to preparing their committee for its responsibilities.
New Hampshire: In New Hampshire, employers with 15 or more employees must have a safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Minutes of each meeting must be recorded, and the committee must include representatives from both management and employees to ensure diverse input on safety matters. No specific training requirements are mandated, giving employers discretion in how they equip their committee members to fulfill their roles.
New York: Employers with 20 or more employees in New York are required to establish a safety committee that meets at least quarterly, with a cap of 2 work hours per quarter allocated for all meetings. Meeting records must be maintained, and the committee must be composed of at least two-thirds non-supervisory employees, co-chaired by a non-supervisory employee and an employer representative. Additionally, the committee can offer up to 4 hours of training per year for its members, and employers are obligated to respond to safety concerns raised by the committee in writing, fostering accountability and proactive safety management.
North Carolina: In North Carolina, employers with 11 or more employees must form a safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Minutes of these meetings must be documented, and the committee must include both management and employee representatives to address workplace safety collaboratively. There are no specific training requirements specified, allowing employers flexibility in how they prepare their committee members for their duties.
Oregon: Oregon mandates that employers with more than 10 employees establish a safety committee, with meeting frequency varying by workplace type: quarterly for office settings and monthly for other workplaces unless quarterly inspections are conducted. Written records of meetings must be retained for three years, detailing attendee names, issues discussed, and recommendations. The committee must have equal representation from management and employees, and employers with multiple locations may use centralized committees. Furthermore, the committee is tasked with establishing accident investigation procedures and annually evaluating the employer’s accountability system to ensure ongoing safety improvements.
Tennessee: In Tennessee, employers with 15 or more employees are required to have a safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Meeting minutes must be kept, and the committee must include both management and employee representatives to provide a balanced approach to safety oversight. No specific training requirements are mandated, leaving it to employers to determine how best to support their committee’s effectiveness.
Vermont: Vermont requires employers with 10 or more employees to maintain a safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Records of these meetings must be documented, and the committee must consist of both management and employee representatives to ensure comprehensive safety discussions. There are no specific training requirements outlined, offering employers flexibility in preparing committee members for their roles.
Washington: In Washington, employers with 11 or more employees must have a safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Minutes of each meeting must be recorded, and the committee must include representatives from both management and employees to address safety concerns collaboratively. No specific training requirements are mandated, allowing employers to tailor committee preparation to their specific needs.
West Virginia: Employers with 25 or more employees in West Virginia are required to establish a safety committee that meets at least quarterly. Meeting records must be maintained, and the committee must include both management and employee representatives to ensure a well-rounded approach to workplace safety. There are no specific training requirements specified, giving employers discretion in how they support their committee’s work.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-1. What is a common requirement for OSHA "State Plan" safety committees?
You forgot to answer the question!