Rhode Island · Workplace safety

The workplace safety (OSHA) rules in force in Rhode Island now.

Federal OSHA jurisdiction; Rhode Island is not an OSHA-approved State Plan state. Enforced by U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA (direct federal enforcement); no state plan exists for public or private employees. Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Workplace safety in Rhode Island

Checked on the source

In force

Federal OSHA jurisdiction; Rhode Island is not an OSHA-approved State Plan state

Federal OSHA directly covers most private-sector employers. State and local government employees are not covered by federal OSHA and RI has no separate state plan.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA (direct federal enforcement); no state plan exists for public or private employees

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

What changes next

In force

In force, nothing scheduled

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 Rhode Island

Which OSHA rules apply in Rhode Island today?

Federal OSHA jurisdiction; Rhode Island is not an OSHA-approved State Plan state. Federal OSHA directly covers most private-sector employers. State and local government employees are not covered by federal OSHA and RI has no separate state plan.

Who enforces the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in Rhode Island?

U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA (direct federal enforcement); no state plan exists for public or private employees.

What changes next for the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in Rhode Island?

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.

The workplace safety (OSHA) rules in force in Rhode Island now.

Workplace safety in Rhode Island

Federal OSHA jurisdiction; Rhode Island is not an OSHA-approved State Plan state

U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA (direct federal enforcement); no state plan exists for public or private employees

In force

What a building has to do

Questions about the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in Rhode Island

Which OSHA rules apply in Rhode Island today?

Who enforces the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in Rhode Island?

What changes next for the workplace safety (OSHA) rules in Rhode Island?

Other areas in Rhode Island