South Dakota (Federal OSHA)
South Dakota has no state OSHA plan, so federal OSHA covers private employers. Agriculture, meatpacking, construction, manufacturing, tourism and trucking employ many people, and long, cold winters and high winds shape the work.
- Construction
- General Industry
- South Dakota
At a glance
| Safety agency | Federal OSHA, Region 8 (Denver); check OSHA’s directory for the area office that serves South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Covers | Private employers. State and local government workers aren’t covered by OSHA in South Dakota. |
| Rules | Federal standards: 29 CFR 1926 (construction) and 1910 (general industry) |
| Free employer help | OSHA On-Site Consultation Program for small and medium businesses (check OSHA’s directory for the current provider) |
| Workers’ comp | South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation, Division of Labor and Management |
Workers’ comp in South Dakota
- Give your employer written notice within 3 business days of the injury. Compensation can be denied if you miss it without a reasonable excuse. Report right away and keep a copy.
- The state’s official guidance says employees generally may make the first choice of doctor, but insurers can require examinations by a doctor of their choosing. Ask your employer or the Department before you get treatment so you know how your claim will be handled.
- A claim or petition generally must be filed within 2 years.
See Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim.
South Dakota hazards to watch
- Agriculture and ranching: tractors, PTOs, livestock and grain bins. See Farm Safety and Grain Handling.
- Meatpacking and food plants: see Food Processing Plant Safety.
- Cold, snow and wind: see Cold Stress and Winter Driving.
- Severe storms and tornadoes: see Severe Weather.
- Long rural drives: see Driving for Work and Working Alone.
- Heat in summer: there is no state heat rule, but federal OSHA expects water, rest and shade. See Heat Illness Rules by State.
Report, complain and get help
- Severe injuries: report a death within 8 hours and an in-patient hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye within 24 hours to federal OSHA.
- Safety complaints: federal OSHA online or at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).
- Retaliation: file with OSHA within 30 days. See Whistleblower Protection.
- Free consultation: confidential visits that don’t lead to citations. See OSHA Consultation.
Your first-week checklist in South Dakota
- Give written notice of any injury within 3 business days
- Carry winter gear and an emergency kit in your work vehicle
- Learn lockout rules if you work around plant equipment
- Know the plan for severe weather and high winds
- Save federal OSHA’s number: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
Note: This page is a summary. Check federal OSHA and the South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation for current rules.
Standards & references
- OSHA: South Dakota offices
- South Dakota DLR: Workers’ compensation
- OSHA: On-Site Consultation directory
- See also: States Covered by Federal OSHA
- Wages, leave and other worker rights: South Dakota Worker Rights
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