Nebraska (Federal OSHA)
Nebraska has no state OSHA plan, so federal OSHA covers private employers. Meatpacking plants, grain elevators, farms, rail and manufacturing employ many Nebraskans, and the state sees severe storms, tornadoes and hard winters.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Nebraska
Photo: grain elevators beside a rail line on the Nebraska plains
At a glance
| Safety agency | Federal OSHA, Region 7, Omaha Area Office |
|---|---|
| Covers | Private employers. State and local government workers aren’t covered by OSHA in Nebraska. |
| Rules | Federal standards: 29 CFR 1926 (construction) and 1910 (general industry) |
| Free employer help | Nebraska Department of Labor, On-site Safety and Health Consultation Program |
| Workers’ comp | Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court; required for most employers with one or more employees |
Workers’ comp in Nebraska
- Most employers must carry coverage. Some agricultural employers are exempt, mainly farms with only family employees or fewer than 10 full-time unrelated employees. Exempt farms must tell workers in writing.
- Report your injury to your employer as soon as you can, in writing.
- Choosing your doctor: your employer must tell you that you can choose a doctor who has treated you or a close family member before. If the employer doesn’t give that notice, you may have more freedom to choose.
- A claim generally must be filed with the Workers’ Compensation Court within 2 years of the injury, or of the last benefit payment.
See Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim.
Nebraska hazards to watch
- Meatpacking: knives, fast lines, repetitive motion, ammonia and sanitation work. See Food Processing Plant Safety.
- Grain bins and elevators: engulfment and dust explosions. See Grain Handling.
- Farm work: tractors, PTO shafts and chemicals. See Farm Safety.
- Tornadoes and severe storms: know your shelter. See Severe Weather.
- Heat and cold: both extremes are common. See Heat Illness Rules by State.
Report, complain and get help
- Severe injuries: report a death within 8 hours and an in-patient hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye within 24 hours to federal OSHA.
- Safety complaints: federal OSHA online or at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).
- Retaliation: file with OSHA within 30 days. See Whistleblower Protection.
- Free consultation: the Nebraska Department of Labor’s program gives confidential help that doesn’t lead to citations.
Your first-week checklist in Nebraska
- Ask about the notice explaining your right to choose a doctor
- Report any injury to your employer in writing, right away
- Learn the lockout rules if you’ll clean or fix machines
- Know where to shelter during tornado warnings
- Save federal OSHA’s number: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
Note: This page is a summary. Check federal OSHA and the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court for current rules.
Standards & references
- OSHA: Nebraska offices
- Nebraska DOL: On-site Safety and Health Consultation
- Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court: Worker FAQ
- See also: States Covered by Federal OSHA
- Wages, leave and other worker rights: Nebraska Worker Rights
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