Hawaii regains oversight of general industry

Honolulu – The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division will resume oversight of the state’s general industry this October.

Federal OSHA has had jurisdiction since 2012 as part of an agreement intended to help Hawaii rebuild its program and protect workers. The state was scheduled to take back full control of the general-industry sector in 2015, but improvements have led to the early resumption of responsibility, according to a press release from the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Oversight of the manufacturing and accommodations/food service industries has returned to HIOSH control on schedule.

“Working closely with OSHA, and in partnership with employers, we are on track to rebuild a strong HIOSH program, which will result in lower injury and illness rates, and improvements in the overall work environment and accountability,” Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) said in the press release. “Our goal is to build a HIOSH that is stronger than it’s ever been.”