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North Carolina · Workplace safety

The workplace safety (OSHA) rules in force in North Carolina now.

North Carolina State Plan (NC OSH Division, NC Department of Labor); G.S. Ch. 95, Art. 16. Enforced by NC Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health (NC OSH) Division; federal OSHA retains the excluded sectors and anti-retaliation enforcement under the federal Act. Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Workplace safety in North Carolina

Checked on the source
In force

North Carolina State Plan (NC OSH Division, NC Department of Labor); G.S. Ch. 95, Art. 16

OSHA page (read Oct 14, 2026): NC State Plan initially approved Feb 1, 1973, certified Oct 5, 1976, final approval Dec 18, 1996. NC OSH covers private-sector workplaces and state and local government, with exclusions such as maritime, USPS contract operations, Indian reservations, certain federal land and military bases.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

NC Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health (NC OSH) Division; federal OSHA retains the excluded sectors and anti-retaliation enforcement under the federal Act

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; confirm the local office for the address.

What changes next

In force

In force; osha.gov approved State Plans page re-read Oct 21, 2026 (private and public sector; 18(e) final approval Dec 18, 1996 per Oct 19, 2026 read)

The federal layer

The federal layer applies in every state: OSHA's Hazard Communication update (91 FR 1695) sets November 20, 2026 for substances and May 19, 2028 for mixtures. State-plan states enforce it through their own agency.

What a building has to do

6 recurring duties

These apply when the building has the equipment or fits the type named. The frequency is the standard one; your local official can set a stricter one, so confirm it for the address.

One-time deadline
Hazard Communication: written program, labels and retraining for substances29 CFR 1910.1200; 91 FR 1695 · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-26. Source
Annual
Lockout/tagout: written energy-control procedures; at least once a year an authorized employee who does not use a procedure inspects it, and the employer certifies the inspection (equipment, date, employees involved, inspector)29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4) and (c)(6) · Federal OSHA or state plan; owner documents · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Every 5 years
Electrical safety: qualified-person training for anyone who works on or near energized equipment, and the arc-flash incident energy analysis reviewed for accuracy at least every 5 years, with equipment labels kept current29 CFR 1910.332; NFPA 70E-2024, 130.5(G) · Federal OSHA or state plan; qualified engineer or trainer · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Annual
Confined spaces: identify permit-required spaces (vaults, tanks, pits, sewage wells) and post danger signs; if staff enter, keep a written permit program, keep cancelled permits at least a year, and review the program within a year after each entry (one annual review can cover them all)29 CFR 1910.146(c), (d)(14) and (e)(6) · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Annual
Injury records: post the OSHA 300A annual summary from February 1 through April 30; hotels and motels (NAICS 7211) with 20 or more employees at the establishment also submit it electronically by March 2 (100 or more: the 300 and 301 too)29 CFR 1904.32 and 1904.41, Appendices A and B to Subpart E · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source
Annual
Emergency action and fire prevention plans, where another OSHA standard requires them: in writing (employers with 10 or fewer employees may give them orally); the emergency plan reviewed with each employee at initial assignment, when duties change and when the plan changes29 CFR 1910.38 and 1910.39 · Federal OSHA or state plan · Checked against the source 2026-09-28. Source

Questions about the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in North Carolina

Which OSHA rules apply in North Carolina today?

North Carolina State Plan (NC OSH Division, NC Department of Labor); G.S. Ch. 95, Art. 16. OSHA page (read Oct 14, 2026): NC State Plan initially approved Feb 1, 1973, certified Oct 5, 1976, final approval Dec 18, 1996. NC OSH covers private-sector workplaces and state and local government, with exclusions such as maritime, USPS contract operations, Indian reservations, certain federal land and military bases.

Who enforces the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in North Carolina?

NC Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health (NC OSH) Division; federal OSHA retains the excluded sectors and anti-retaliation enforcement under the federal Act.

What changes next for the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in North Carolina?

Nothing is scheduled. The rule above stays in force until the state adopts a newer edition or amends the program; AHJ Radar re-checks the source weekly.

Other areas in North Carolina

Everything in force in North Carolina
Fire code2018 North Carolina Fire Code (fire volume of the NC State Building Code), based on the 20…Building code2018 North Carolina Building Code (2015 IBC-based, NC amendments) and 2018 NC Existing Bui…ElevatorsElevator Safety Act (G.S. 95-110.1 et seq.) + 13 NCAC 15; installations must meet ASME A17…BoilersUniform Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act of 1975 (G.S. Ch. 95, Art. 7A) + 13 NCAC 13Pools and spasG.S. 130A-280 to 130A-282 + 15A NCAC 18A .2500 Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools (amen…Hotels and lodgingG.S. 130A-248 sanitation permit + 15A NCAC 18A .1800 (effective Oct 1, 2017); G.S. 130A-51…

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