Pennsylvania (Federal OSHA)

Pennsylvania has no state OSHA plan for private employers, so federal OSHA sets and enforces the rules. But several Pennsylvania laws matter on the job: crane operator licensing, a construction misclassification law, Philadelphia’s safety training rule and specific workers’ comp deadlines.

• Construction
• General Industry
• Indiana
• Pennsylvania

At a glance

Pennsylvania rules that matter on the job

• Crane operator license: Pennsylvania’s Crane Operator Licensure Act requires a state license to operate most cranes, in addition to the national certification OSHA requires. See Crane Safety Basics.
• Philadelphia training rule: workers on many permitted construction projects in Philadelphia need OSHA 10, and supervisors need OSHA 30. See State-Required Safety Training Cards.
• Construction Workplace Misclassification Act: construction workers are presumed to be employees, not independent contractors, unless strict tests are met. L&I enforces it. See Misclassification.
• Prevailing wage: Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage Act covers many public works projects. See Prevailing Wage.
• Asbestos and lead: abatement workers and contractors need state certification or licensing. Philadelphia and Allegheny County have their own asbestos rules. See Asbestos Rules by State.

Workers’ comp in Pennsylvania

• Tell your employer within 21 days to get benefits from the first day. If you wait more than 120 days, you generally lose your right to benefits.
• If your employer posts a list of at least six designated doctors, you generally must use one of them for the first 90 days of treatment, or the bills may not be paid.
• A claim petition generally must be filed within 3 years of the injury.

See Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim.

Public employees

State and local government workers aren’t covered by federal OSHA. Some Pennsylvania laws apply, such as the Worker and Community Right-to-Know Act on hazardous chemicals. Ask your employer’s safety office or L&I which protections cover your job.

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.
• Unpaid wages and misclassification: L&I’s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance.

Your first-week checklist in Pennsylvania

• Find the posted list of designated workers’ comp doctors, if your employer has one
• Report any injury to your employer in writing, within 21 days
• If you’ll run a crane, make sure you have a Pennsylvania license and national certification
• On Philadelphia jobs, carry your OSHA 10 card (OSHA 30 for supervisors)
• If you’re paid on a 1099 for construction work, ask why; you may be an employee

Last updated: October 2, 2026