South Carolina made history as the first state to receive initial approval to manage its own OSHA state plan on November 30, 1972. This approval was officially published in the Federal Register on December 6, 1972. The state achieved certification in 1976 and, in 1987, received final approval to fully administer the State Plan.
The South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration (SC OSHA) is a state program committed to promoting workplace safety and healthy work environment, with the goal of preventing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. SC OSHA complies with the federal OSHA standards but has implemented some additional measures specific to South Carolina's needs.
South Carolina OSHA has established several unique standards to ensure workplace safety, including regulations for general industry practices such as spray finishing using flammable and hazardous materials, respiratory protection, powered industrial trucks, excavation construction standards, and general safety and health requirements. SC OSHA is responsible for enforcing these safety and health standards through workplace inspections, which may be prompted by scheduled visits, imminent danger reports, fatalities, or worker complaints. Violations of regulations can result in citations.
In addition, SC OSHA offers voluntary and cooperative programs with the aim of reducing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, including on-site consultation services for public and private employers to help them comply with state and federal standards. Employers, workers, and their representatives can contest citations through informal conferences or appeals, which the South Carolina Administrative Law Court reviews.
