The federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) establishes employer and employee rights and duties with respect to occupational safety and health. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor administers the federal law. However, the federal law provides that states, with approved state plans, may administer the law in place of the federal government.
North Carolina is one of those states that has developed an approved state plan. The North Carolina Department of Labor is the state agency charged with the enforcement of the state OSHA program. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration monitors the North Carolina OSHA program to ensure that the state program is as effective as the federal program. In addition, federal OSHA has jurisdiction over those areas not covered by state law.
The North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Act covers all general industry, construction and agricultural employers. It also covers public employers, including the state itself and political subdivisions. Excluded from coverage are: