Minnesota (MNOSHA)
Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA), part of the Department of Labor and Industry, covers most private and public employers in the state. It has two parts: MNOSHA Compliance, which inspects and enforces, and MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation, which helps employers for free. Minnesota adds several programs federal OSHA doesn’t require.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Public employees
- Minnesota
At a glance
| Agency | MNOSHA Compliance, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry |
|---|---|
| Covers | Most private employers and state and local government. Federal OSHA covers federal workers and some maritime and tribal workplaces. |
| Rules | Federal standards adopted by reference, plus Minnesota statutes (Chapter 182) and Minnesota Rules (such as Chapter 5205) |
| Discrimination complaints | MNOSHA Compliance, within 30 days |
| Free employer help | MNOSHA Workplace Safety Consultation (WSC) |
Key Minnesota requirements
- AWAIR (A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction) program: employers in designated higher-hazard industries, including construction, must have a written program that sets safety goals, assigns responsibility, explains how hazards are found and corrected, how incidents are investigated, and how the program is reviewed each year.
- Safety committees: employers with more than 25 employees must have a joint labor-management safety committee. Since July 2023, smaller employers covered by AWAIR must also have one.
- Employee Right-to-Know (ERTK): training on hazardous substances, and in some workplaces on harmful physical agents (such as noise and heat) and infectious agents, before assignment and at least once a year.
- Ergonomics: warehouse distribution centers, meatpacking and poultry plants, and health care facilities must have ergonomics programs under Minnesota law.
- Warehouse workers: large warehouse employers must disclose production quotas to workers and can’t set quotas that prevent breaks.
- Asbestos: the Minnesota Department of Health licenses contractors and certifies workers; work above small amounts in homes requires a licensed contractor. See Asbestos Rules by State.
Reporting injuries
Employers must report work-related deaths and in-patient hospitalizations of two or more employees to MNOSHA within 8 hours, and single hospitalizations, amputations and loss of an eye within 24 hours. Check MNOSHA for current rules.
Complaints and retaliation
- File a safety complaint with MNOSHA Compliance online or by phone. You can ask that your name be kept confidential.
- Workers are protected for raising safety concerns, filing complaints, taking part in inspections and, in some cases, refusing unsafe work. File a discrimination complaint with MNOSHA within 30 days of the adverse action.
Note: This page is a summary. Check MNOSHA’s current requirements for your work.
Standards & references
- Minnesota DLI: Minnesota OSHA Compliance
- MNOSHA: Labor-management safety committees
- MNOSHA: Safety and health discrimination
- Wages, leave and other worker rights: Minnesota Worker Rights
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