BEING PREPARED – INDUSTRIAL LOCATIONS

IN MULTIPLE STATES

NAVIGATING COMPLIANCE WITH DIFFERING STATE AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS

Manufacturing facilities in the United States face many challenges. In addition to navigating federal requirements, there are often state and local requirements that differ. Companies with facilities in multiple states often find it difficult to stay on top of the differences in regulatory requirements. Ensuring compliance with both state and local regulations, as well as the federal requirements, can be a daunting task, especially when coupled with frequent regulatory changes, production demands, and supply chain challenges.

 On the state level, some states, such as California (Cal OSHA), have their own OSHA oversight that addresses regulatory oversight for all employees within the state, while other states, such as New Jersey (PEOSHA), have their own OSHA oversight for regulating public employees. Minnesota recently implemented its new workplace protections program, and Oregon has initiated new orders related to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). To determine if the states where your facilities operate have their own OSHA plans, CLICK HERE.

North Carolina has been implementing special emphasis programs as a part of its 5-year strategic management plan focused on reducing workplace fatalities and non-fatal injuries statewide. Areas of concentration in these special emphasis programs include amputations, construction, food manufacturing, and chemical and exposure health hazards.

Both California and New Jersey are known for their strong commitments to environmental health and safety policies. In our last blog, we shared New Jersey taking a leadership role in Environmental Justice. If your facility is currently undergoing expansion or construction in California, it is essential to stay updated on  the state’s latest initiatives  concerning construction hazards.

The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) has been actively involved in monitoring state public health and safety through its state surveillance program.  The primary goal of this program is to improve worker safety nationwide by utilizing the data reported. Twenty-two states are currently engaged in the fundamental, fundamental-plus or expanded NIOSH programs. You can learn more about states where your facility is located by CLICKING HERE.

At the local level, typically hazardous material storage requires knowledge of local fire codes. For instance, in New York City there are stricter requirements for flammable material storage than the rest of the state. In California, there are 12 distinct air zones, each with its own set of regulations for allowable VOC content in chemicals.

We recently worked with a global medical device manufacturer to address the challenges of creating corporate EHS standards while navigating the varying state and local mandates. The outcome of this collaboration was the development of a comprehensive corporate manual that features a dedicated section covering core topics and subsections specific to state and local requirements.

At QTS, we believe regulatory compliance should be an opportunity, not a burden. Our highly skilled team is knowledgeable and experienced, not only in federal regulations, but also the regulatory requirements in all 50 states. In addition to providing onsite EHS support to manufacturing facilities throughout the Unites States, we represent our clients in negotiations with state and local regulators, ensuring your voice is heard and your interests are protected.  We also provide personalized support and assistance in the development of robust corporate EHS plans to cover all of your facility locations.