State News

Honolulu – The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division has resumed enforcement authority over the state’s manufacturing sector.

Salem, OR – Oregon OSHA has launched a video series aimed at raising safety awareness among young workers.

Oakland, CA – California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health has a new acting chief in the wake of Ellen Widess’ resignation.

Washington – OSHA recently released its annual Federal Annual Monitoring and Evaluation reports on State Plan states and territories.

Tumwater, WA – Washington state is offering grants to fund innovative workplace safety and health or return-to-work programs.

Montpelier, VT – The Vermont agency tasked with helping to prevent workplace injuries among state government employees often fails to review incidents, and its recommendations go ignored, according to a new report from the Office of the Vermont State Auditor.

Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D) on July 2 vetoed a bill that would have created a database for employers to access a job applicant’s history of filing workers’ compensation claims.

Oklahoma City – A bill recently approved by the Oklahoma House would give administrative law judges designated to handle workers’ compensation exclusive authority over cases against counties, cities, towns and education bodies.

Washington – State-run OSHA programs face staffing challenges in part because of budget cuts, and federal OSHA should provide better access to training and deadlines for taking over troubled state programs, concludes a new report from the Government Accountability Office.