OSHA Training and Regulatory Resources for Rhode Island
Rhode Island Safety Training and Resources are listed below for your use. The Rhode Island Department of Health maintains a large quantity of information regarding workplace safety. The state organization has an OSHA Consultation program. This program is targeted mostly to businesses with less than 250 employees. Rhode Island Safety Training follows OSHA Guidelines and directives since it is NOT a state plan participant. The state has no plan filed or approved by federal OSHA.
The state’s Workforce Regulation and Safety Division enforces trade licensing laws. It also operates programs to ensure the safety of trades persons, their work sites and their work products. These include wage and apprenticeship programs also. Occupational Safety is also monitored in public building and education facilities. Finally the WRS investigates all complaints with regard to wage complaints and hiring violations. The Occupational Safety Unit is comprised of separate areas of expertise—Boilers, Elevators, Emergency Planning, Right to Know and Weights & Measures.
Rhode Island safety laws are among the strictest in the nation. In 2004, the legislature passed laws that require all workers on municipal and state construction projects with a total project cost of over $100,000 complete the OSHA 10 Hour Construction Course. This requirement is for on-site workers, including, construction workers, contractors, project developers, site managers, and/or any other individual(s) working on a job site. Law enforcement officers and/or job site security individuals are exempt, as are all federal, state and municipal government inspectors. Fines for non compliance are between $250 and $950, per offense, per day. Those that are supervising safety efforts are highly encouraged to take the OSHA 30 Hour Construction Course.
Rhode Island is apart of OSHA’s On-site Consultation Program , also known as the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). Here are some benefits to SHARP.
Rhode Island Safety Offices:
Providence Area Office
Federal Office Building
380 Westminster Mall, Room 543
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
(401) 528-4669
Fax: (401) 528-4663