Kentucky (Kentucky OSH)
The Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program, in the Department of Workplace Standards of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet, runs Kentucky’s state plan. Kentucky’s law treats public and private employers the same way, and it gives workers much longer than federal OSHA to file a retaliation complaint.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Public employees
- Kentucky
At a glance
| Agency | Kentucky OSH Program, Department of Workplace Standards |
|---|---|
| Covers | Private employers and state and local government, with no distinction between them. Federal OSHA covers federal workers and some maritime work; mines fall under MSHA and Kentucky’s mine safety agency. |
| Rules | 803 KAR 2, adopted by the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board |
| Retaliation complaints | Within 120 days |
| Free employer help | Kentucky OSH Division of Education and Training (consultation) |
Key Kentucky points
- Standards: Kentucky adopts the federal construction and general industry standards in 803 KAR 2, with some Kentucky additions and procedures. A state standards board approves them.
- Public employees: state, county and city workers have the same protections as private-sector workers.
- Separate enforcement and help: the Division of Compliance inspects and cites; the Division of Education and Training offers free consultation and training.
- Asbestos: the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division for Air Quality certifies asbestos abatement entities. Removal from single-family homes and buildings with four or fewer units isn’t regulated by the state. See Asbestos Rules by State.
Reporting injuries
Employers must report work-related deaths and in-patient hospitalizations, amputations and losses of an eye to Kentucky OSH within the required time (deaths within 8 hours). Check Kentucky OSH for current procedures.
Complaints and retaliation
- File a safety complaint with Kentucky OSH online, by phone or in writing.
- Kentucky law (KRS 338.121) protects workers from retaliation for exercising their safety rights. You can file a discrimination complaint within 120 days, much longer than federal OSHA’s 30 days. Filing sooner is still better.
Note: This page is a summary. Check Kentucky OSH’s website for current rules.
Standards & references
- Kentucky Department of Workplace Standards (Kentucky OSH)
- 803 KAR 2:240: Time for filing a discrimination complaint
- Wages, leave and other worker rights: Kentucky Worker Rights
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