Ohio (Federal OSHA)
Federal OSHA covers private employers in Ohio. Ohio stands out for two state programs: PERRP, which protects public employees, and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), which runs the state’s workers’ comp system and offers free safety services.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Public employees
- Ohio
At a glance
| Private employers | Federal OSHA, Region 5 (Chicago), with area offices in Ohio |
|---|---|
| Public employees | Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP), part of BWC |
| Rules | Federal standards (PERRP adopts OSHA standards for public employers) |
| Free employer help | BWC Division of Safety & Hygiene, including Ohio’s OSHA On-Site Consultation Program |
| Workers’ comp | A state-run fund (BWC); some large employers self-insure |
Public employees: PERRP
Ohio isn’t an OSHA state plan, but state law gives public workers (state agencies, cities, counties, townships, schools, and public fire and police departments) safety protections through PERRP. Public employees can file safety complaints with PERRP, which can inspect and issue citations.
Workers’ comp in Ohio
- Ohio is one of the few states where workers’ comp insurance comes from a state fund instead of private insurers (except for self-insured employers).
- Report your injury to your employer right away, and file a claim with BWC (online, by phone or through your employer). Claims generally must be filed within 1 year of the injury.
- Choose a BWC-certified doctor for ongoing care.
- VSSR awards: if you’re hurt because your employer violated a specific Ohio safety requirement, you can apply for an additional award, paid by the employer, on top of regular benefits. There are strict deadlines.
See Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim.
Free safety help from BWC
- Free on-site safety consultation and industrial hygiene sampling
- Free safety training classes around the state, and a safety library
- Safety grants: BWC’s Workplace Safety Grant program helps employers buy equipment that reduces injuries, with the employer paying a share
- Ohio Safety Congress, a large free annual safety conference
Report, complain and get help
- Severe injuries (private employers): 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: private sector to federal OSHA (1-800-321-OSHA); public sector to PERRP.
- Retaliation: private-sector workers file with OSHA within 30 days. See Whistleblower Protection.
Your first-week checklist in Ohio
- Learn how to file a BWC claim: through your employer, online or by phone
- Know that claims generally must be filed within 1 year of the injury
- Choose a BWC-certified doctor for ongoing care
- Public employees: know that safety complaints go to PERRP
- Ask your employer about free BWC safety training classes
Note: This page is a summary. Check BWC and federal OSHA for current programs and deadlines.
Standards & references
- OSHA: Ohio offices
- Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
- See also: States Covered by Federal OSHA · Workers’ Compensation
- Wages, leave and other worker rights: Ohio Worker Rights
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