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Public Sector Workplace Safety & Health
The Maine Department of Labor enforces occupational safety and health regulations in public sector workplaces, including: state, county and municipal workplaces; public schools, colleges and universities; and quasi-government agencies such as water districts.
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What is the Maine Board of Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) The Maine Board of Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) is a ten member board of Maine residents, appointed by the Governor to staggered four year terms, that is charged with formulating, adopting, and enforcing occupational safety and health standards for the public sector that, at a minimum, conform to Federal standards. BOSH is also charged with holding adjudicatory hearings for labor standard violations, in which BOSH will issue a decision approving, disapproving, or modifying a citation or penalty levied by the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Standards. BOSH is required to meet twice per year, but its practice has been to meet quarterly. More information about BOSH: Duties and Powers of BOSH (PDF) Upcoming BOSH Meetings 2025 Schedule
All meetings start at 10:00 AM BOSH Work Rules Ch. 1 Procedural Rules (Word) Ch. 2 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry Employment in the Public Sector (Word) Ch. 3 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Construction Industry Employment in the Public Sector (Word) Ch. 4 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Firefighting in the Public Sector (Word) Ch. 5 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Public Safety Diving (Word) Ch. 6 Recording Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in the Public Sector (Word) Ch. 7 Minimum Driver Training Requirements for Fire Apparatus (Word) Ch. 8 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Whistleblower/Discrimination in the Public Sector (Word) Ch. 9 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Issuing Variances in the Public Sector (Word) Ch. 10 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Section 1908 Consultation Guidelines in the Public Sector (Word) Safety and Health Public safety and health rules are developed by the Maine Board of Occupational Safety and Health. They generally follow but are not necessarily identical to OSHA regulations covering private sector employers. Emergency Notification - (207) 592-4501 or accident.bls@maine.gov: Public sector employers are required to report all work related fatalities, or injuries or illnesses where one or more public sector employees is admitted to a medical facility. Statute for fatality and injury reporting criteria.
Inspections The Maine Department of Labor conducts workplace inspections of public sector worksites. Under state law, Maine Department of Labor Public Sector Enforcement Officers may enter a workplace to examine conditions that may affect the safety or health of employees. Penalty Discussion Guidance If an employer has been issued with a citation and wishes to reduce the fine, it may request a penalty discussion. OSHA statement regarding its emergency response rulemaking and volunteer emergency responders: https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/osha-statement/20240917
November 2024 Public Hearing Information
First day of testimony is November 12, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. EST. Individuals who will not be providing testimony but would like to view the hearing as it takes place will be able to access the hearing via YouTube as it is livestreamed. The link to view the hearing will be available every day at the following website: Documents Maine public sector workplaces can get free, voluntary, non-enforcement safety and health training or consultation from SafetyWorks! If you are an employee of a state agency, county government, a municipality, or any division thereof, a water district, sewer district, school district or any other quasi-municipal agency and want to report a safety or health violation, or believe the employer has discriminated or retaliated against you for reporting an unsafe condition, to file an online complaint or visit the Complaint Form web page for additional information. 2024 2023
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Emergency Notification Requirement: Public sector employers are required to report all work related fatalities, or injuries or illnesses where one or more public sector employees is admitted to a medical facility.
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