Indiana OSHA 2024: An Overview of Health and Safety Laws

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations play a crucial role in safeguarding the well-being of workers across the United States. However, many Indiana businesses have more complex health and safety laws imposed by their state. Today, innovative HCM software solutions can automate and streamline work processes to help enterprises meet full compliance with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA).

Does Indiana Have Its Own OSHA?

Unlike some states that rely solely on federal OSHA regulations, Indiana operates its own state-level Occupational Safety and Health Administration, known as IOSHA. It means that Indiana has its own set of rules and enforcement mechanisms to ensure workplace safety and health standards are met.

Indiana OSHA Divisions

IOSHA consists of two divisions that are in charge of ensuring compliance with IOSHA standards. These include the Industrial Compliance Division and the Construction Safety Division. IOSHA standards are generally the same as federal OSHA, with a few local emphasis programs.

Industrial Compliance Division

The Industrial Compliance Division is in charge of administering compliance for public and private sector safety and health for the following industries:

• Commercial
• Agricultural
• Industrial

The Industrial Compliance Division focuses on monitoring employee exposure to occupational safety and health hazards. There are two types of safety officers in this division of IOSHA: Safety Compliance Officers and Industrial Hygiene (IH) Compliance Officers.

Safety Compliance Officer

Safety Compliance Officers inspect businesses for workplace hazards related to physical, chemical, and biological harm. They also look for hazards relating to electricity, falls, fires, material handling, and the use/storage of welding materials. 

Industrial Hygiene Compliance Officer

IH Compliance Officers also investigate for hazards relating to electricity, falls, fires, material handling, and use/storage of welding materials, but also look for hazards related to chemical and noise exposures, as well as hygiene, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other living organisms which may cause adverse health effects.

Construction Safety Division

For those working in the construction industry, the Construction Safety Division is the primary entity overseeing safety standards in Indiana. This division concentrates on enforcing regulations related to construction sites, ensuring that workers are protected from potential hazards such as falls, electrical mishaps, and exposure to harmful substances. The Construction Safety Division plays a pivotal role in minimizing accidents and injuries within the construction sector.

Who is Covered Under Indiana OSHA?

The Indiana State Plan covers all private-sector workplaces in the state; however, there are some exceptions:

• Maritime employment, including shipyard employment, marine terminals, and longshoring 

• Contract workers and contractor-operated facilities involved with USPS operations
• Some agricultural workers
• Any hazard, industry, geographical area, operation, or facility over which the State Plan is unable to effectively exercise jurisdiction for reasons not related to the required performance or structure of the plan
• All working conditions of aircraft cabin crewmembers onboard an aircraft during operation

Indiana OSHA also covers state and local government employers, however, it does not cover federal government employers, such as USPS. A brief summary of the Indiana State Plan is included in the Code of Federal Regulations at 29 CFR 1952.17.

Indiana OSHA Regulations and Requirements in 2024

Staying informed about the specific regulations and requirements is vital for both employers and employees. As of 2024, Indiana OSHA has several key components to ensure workplace safety:

Indiana OSHA Emphasis Programs

While Indiana OSHA has a state-run OSHA program, ISOHA standards generally follow that of federal OSHA law. However, states implement state-run plans in order to enforce what are referred to as Local Emphasis Programs to address the unique safety requirements of the state.

Indiana OSHA Local Emphasis Programs include the following:

• Falls in Construction and General Industry
• Renovation, Rehabilitation, and Demolition
• Residential Construction Projects

Indiana Whistleblower Protection

Indiana OSHA also has protections for employees regarding whistleblowing. Specifically, Indiana Whistleblower protection states that employees who have engaged in a protected activity may not be discriminated against. 

Discrimination or adverse action by an employer includes:

• Firing or laying off
• Demoting
• Denying overtime or promotion
• Disciplining
• Denial of benefits
• Intimidation/harassment
• Reassignment affecting prospects of promotion
• Reducing pay or hours
• Indiana employees can file a whistleblower complaint online by calling (317) 234-3946 or by emailing whistleblower@dol.in.gov.

Indiana Worker Safety Initiatives

As part of the effort toward creating a safe and healthy work environment for employees throughout Indiana, IOSHA has created a set of Worker Safety Initiatives to help keep employees in the state safe.

Indiana’s Worker Safety Initiatives include:

• Agriculture safety
• Distracted driving
• Healthcare safety
• Late-night retail workplace violence
• Overdose protection (Aaron's Law)
• Scissor lift safety
• Teen worker safety
• Transportation safety
• Work zone safety
• Fall protection

IOSHA Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

Indiana OSHA has specific recordkeeping and reporting requirements that employers must adhere to, including maintaining records of work-related injuries, reporting severe injuries promptly, and complying with established guidelines for recordkeeping. These measures contribute to a transparent and accountable system for tracking and addressing workplace safety incidents.

All businesses in Indiana, regardless of size or industry, must:

• Report a workplace fatality to OSHA within 8 hours
• Report an in-patient hospitalization to OSHA within 24 hours
• Report work-related amputations to OSHA within 24 hours
• Report the loss of an eye to OSHA within 24 hours
• Employers can report an incident by phone at (317) 232-2693 or by calling the 24-hour OSHA hotline at 1-800-321-6742.

Indiana Smoke-Free Air Law

Beyond traditional workplace safety concerns, Indiana OSHA also addresses health hazards, such as exposure to secondhand smoke. The Indiana Smoke-Free Air Law prohibits smoking in most public places and workplaces. This regulation is in line with efforts to create healthier work environments for Indiana residents and employees.

In Indiana, smoking is prohibited in the following places of business: 

• Most places of employment
• Most public places
• Restaurants
• The area within (8) eight feet of a public entrance to a public place or a place of employment
• Any vehicle owned, leased, or operated by the state if the vehicle is being used for a governmental function

In Indiana, smoking is still permitted in the following places of business:

• Bars and taverns
• Tobacco retail shops
• Cigar bars
• Hookah bars
• State-licensed gaming facilities
• Licensed horse track facilities
• Membership clubs if they meet the following criteria:

• 501(c)3
• Established as a club or fraternity under the law
• Provides food and alcoholic beverages to only its members and their guests
• Vote every two years to allow smoking by its members during business meetings
• Provide a separate, enclosed designated smoking room that is ventilated and only allows 18 and older to enter

Common Indiana OSHA FAQ's

What needs to be reported to Indiana OSHA?

Incidents that result in a fatality of an employee must be reported to Indiana OSHA within eight hours. Additionally, any work-related amputations, losses of an eye, or inpatient hospitalizations must be reported to IOSHA within 24 hours.

What is considered an OSHA violation in Indiana?

An IOSHA violation in Indiana is a breach of the standards and regulations set forth by Indiana OSHA. It can range from a minor infraction, such as failing to post mandatory safety documentation, to major breaches that can risk a worker’s life. 

Who does OSHA not cover in Indiana?

While Indiana OSHA encompasses a wide range of workers, there are exemptions. Maritime workers, contract workers, aircraft cabin crewmembers, migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, and federal government employees, including the United States Postal Service, are not covered under Indiana OSHA. 

Does Indiana follow OSHA regulations?

Yes. To maintain its State Plan approval, Indiana OSHA is required to operate “at least as effective as Federal OSHA in its enforcement of workplace safety and health standards and regulations,” according to the Indiana Department of Labor (IDOL). However, IDOL also states that Indiana Code 22-8-1.1-17.5 “does not permit IOSHA from adopting or enforcing occupational safety and health standards that are more stringent than federal OSHA.”

What are the OSHA violations in Indiana?

OSHA violations in Indiana refer to any violation of the standards and regulations set forth by the Indiana State Plan. While IOSHA follows workplace safety and health standards and regulation requirements of Federal OSHA, The Indiana State Plan has additional requirements for Indiana businesses to observe, as noted in Indiana OSHA Local Emphasis Programs.

Top-Notch IOSHA Assistance From TruPay

Managing compliance with IOSHA can be challenging, with several regulations and standards to uphold. TruPay’s complete human capital management platform, InspiredHCM, is an innovative software solution that meets your business’s needs while maintaining strict compliance with IOSHA. Under one user-friendly platform, your organization can integrate a wide range of state-of-the-art modules to automate and accurately streamline several workforce processes, meeting the expectations of OSHA Indiana. Here are five essential benefits of utilizing TruPay’s InspireHCM platform for IOSHA compliance: 

Recordkeeping

TruPay’s InspireHCM can help maintain electronic records of employee training, certifications, and safety-related information, which can be crucial for OSHA compliance.

Training Tracking

The software can provide tools to track and manage employee training programs, ensuring that workers receive the necessary safety training required by OSHA regulations.

Reporting and Analytics

TruPay InspireHCM may offer reporting and analytics features that help analyze workplace incidents, injuries, and other safety-related data. This information can be useful for identifying trends and areas that need improvement.

Documentation Management

Efficient management of documents related to safety policies, procedures, and compliance requirements can be facilitated by TruPay’s software, aiding in OSHA compliance audits.

Workflow Automation

Automation features within the InspireHCM system can help enforce safety protocols and ensure that necessary procedures are followed, reducing the risk of non-compliance.

TruPay is a leader in innovative employee management software solutions for various industries and institutions, including those in Indiana. From Payroll to HR and Timekeeping to Benefits, our InspireHCM platform ensures your business stays in compliance with IOSHA. If you’d like to learn more, request a live demo of our best-in-class HCM platform today!