Occupational Health and Safety Oversight in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is among the states that do not have an official OSHA-approved State Plan for occupational health and safety regulations. As a result, most private-sector employees in New Hampshire are governed by Federal OSHA regulations rather than a separate state-specific safety program.
Because New Hampshire does not maintain its own distinct occupational safety standards, businesses and workers rely on federal OSHA guidelines to ensure workplace safety and compliance.
Public Sector Safety Oversight and Training Requirements in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, all public sector employees working for state agencies, local governments, and counties fall under the jurisdiction of the Safety and Training Division of the New Hampshire Department of Labor. For certain cases where federal OSHA regulations do not apply—particularly within the private sector—Chapter 277 of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes (RSA) provides the governing framework for workplace safety.
Given the importance many employers in New Hampshire place on occupational safety knowledge, OSHA recommends that entry-level workers complete the OSHA 10-Hour course, while those in supervisory roles pursue the more in-depth OSHA 30-Hour training. Furthermore, according to RSA 277:5-A, contractors working on public projects valued over $100,000 are legally required to complete the OSHA 10-Hour Construction course.
Additionally, RSA 277-A: Toxic Substances in the Workplace mandates that public sector workers receive proper training related to potential chemical hazards. This statute ensures that state and local government employees are informed and prepared to handle hazardous substances safely. While OSHA requires similar chemical hazard training for private sector workers, this state law extends those protections specifically to public sector employees in New Hampshire.
Need a discount? Need a discount?