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Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-4307
(651) 284-5050
(651) 284-5741
Send MNOSHA a question

Steve Sviggum, Commissioner
(651) 284-5010
(651) 284-5721 FAX

Thomas Joachim, Assistant Commissioner
(651) 284-5018
(651) 284-5720 FAX

Jeff Isakson, Director Occupational Safety and Health
(651) 284-5310
(651) 284-5741 FAX
Minnesota State Plan Home Page

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Consultation Services
Workplace Safety Consultation
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155-4307
(651) 284-5060
(651) 284-5739 FAX
Workplace Safety Consultation

ehso blue lightbarDescription of the Minnesota State Plan

The Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. The department's Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division is responsible for compliance program administration, conducting enforcement inspections, adoption of standards, and operation of other related OSHA activities. Workplace Safety Consultation provides consultation services, on request, to help employers prevent workplace accidents and diseases by identifying and correcting safety and health hazards, and operates several employer assistance programs.

Management and administration of Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) is the responsibility of the OSHA Management Team (OMT). The OMT is comprised of the five Minnesota OSHA Supervisors, two Minnesota OSHA area directors, and an administrative director. The mission of Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) is to make sure every worker in the State of Minnesota has a safe and healthful workplace. This mandate involves the application of a set of tools by MNOSHA including standards development, enforcement, compliance assistance, and training and education, which enable employers to maintain safe and healthful workplaces.

In addition to the traditional enforcement and consultation activities, MNOSHA operates several specialized programs aimed at assisting employers in making their workplaces safer and more healthful including "MNSHARP" (Minnesota Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program), a voluntary, consultation-based program which assists small high-hazard employers in achieving safety and health improvements and recognizes them for doing so. MNOSHA also operates a Labor-Management Safety Committee Program, a Loggers' Safety Education Program, a Workplace Violence Prevention Program, and a Safety Grants Program. More information about MNSHARP and the other programs operated by Workplace Safety Consultation.

The largest industry in Minnesota is health care. Minnesota is also an agricultural state with the related grain handling and processing, dairy, poultry, and meat packing industries. The four largest manufacturing industries include industrial machinery, printing and publishing, food and kindred products, and forest products (paper, lumber, wood, etc.).

State Publications
Minnesota OSHA is currently reviewing all state publications for relevancy, needed updates, etc. Once this process is completed, MNOSHA publications will be made available on the agency's home page. Questions about available publications may be directed to MNOSHA at (651) 284-5050.

Training Materials/Information
Educational seminars, training sessions, and public meeting schedules of agency advisory committees are posted on Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry home page. This "Coming Events" page lists public meetings and training sessions that have been scheduled by all divisions in Labor and Industry including Minnesota OSHA and Workplace Safety Consultation. Training materials for distribution to the public are not currently available on the home page. Questions about training sessions and/or available training materials may be directed to Minnesota OSHA at (651) 284-5050 and/or Workplace Safety Consultation at (651) 284-5060.

State Standards
Minnesota OSHA generally adopts Federal OSHA standards by reference. With the exception of the standards listed below, all federal OSHA standards for General Industry (29 CFR Part 1910) and Construction (29 CFR Part 1926) have been adopted by Minnesota OSHA. Minnesota OSHA has also adopted state-specific standards which address hazards not covered by federal OSHA standards. Major differences between federal and MNOSHA regulations include:

1. Employee Right-to-Know (Minnesota Rules Chapter 5206) is enforced by MNOSHA instead of the federal Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). Employee Right-to-Know covers harmful physical agents and infectious agents as well as hazardous substances and requires annual refresher training in addition to initial training. The rule covers employees in general industry, construction, maritime operations, and farming operations with more than 10 employees or a temporary labor camp.

2. Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) (29 CFR 1910.1000 - Air Contaminants). In 1989, federal OSHA revised its PELs under 1910.1000, which MNOSHA adopted. Although federal OSHA has since reverted to the pre-1989 PELs, MNOSHA still enforces the 1989 PELs for substances that are not covered by separate standards. (These are available on the MNOSHA website.)

3. Confined Spaces (Minnesota Rules 5205.1000 through 5205.1040 and 5207.0300). MNOSHA adopted its own confined spaces standard prior the federal adoption of 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-Required Confined Spaces. The Minnesota Confined Spaces rules cover both general industry and construction. Employers engaged in shipyard employment are to follow 29 CFR 1915.7-1915.16.

4. Lockout Devices in Construction (Minnesota Rules 5207.0600). MNOSHA has adopted its own lockout/tagout standard for the construction industry. This standard is in addition to 29 CFR 1926.417, Lockout and Tagging of Circuits, and the portions of 29 CFR 1926 Subpart O, Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment and Marine Operations, which address the control of potential energy. Employers in general industry must comply with 29 CFR 1910.147, Control of Hazardous Energy.

5. Additional MNOSHA requirements. Minnesota OSHA has also adopted the following standards covering topics not addressed in federal OSHA standards. All MNOSHA standards and rules. ehso blue lightbarMinnesota Coverage of Public Sector Employees

Overview

Public-sector employers in Minnesota (with the exception of federal agencies and exclusive federal jurisdiction properties) are covered and are treated exactly as any other employer. Public-sector employers are subject to the same enforcement protocols as private sector employers including inspection scheduling, inspection procedures, complaint and nondiscrimination procedures, informal conference and contestation procedures, employee access to information provisions, recordkeeping, and voluntary compliance programs.

Minnesota OSHA's goal is to conduct at least three percent (3%) of its inspections in the public sector.

Workplace Safety Consultation, the MNOSHA consultation program, offers consultations on request to small private-sector employers and some public-sector employers to help them prevent workplace accidents and diseases.

One strategy used by Minnesota OSHA to address hazards in the public sector is the development of a Special Emphasis inspection program. For example, when the Fire Brigade Standard was adopted in 1980, Minnesota OSHA established a Special Emphasis inspection program for fire departments. All fire departments in the state were listed and each year fire departments were randomly selected for a comprehensive inspection. There are approximately 800 fire departments in Minnesota, both paid and volunteer; all fire departments were inspected under this program over the course of several years.

Outreach and Training

Training and outreach programs on standards and other OSHA-related topics of general interest are made available to public as well as private sector employers and employees. Programs have been, and when requested will be, conducted for specific types of workplaces, such as fire departments, schools, correctional facilities, etc.

Although not specifically geared toward public sector employers and employees, the Loggers' Safety Education Program, one of the programs under Workplace Safety Consultation, has provided safety training to numerous public sector employers and employees, primarily from public works departments. The "logging work" done by these workers is not a daily activity but is usually related to cleanup following storms or other uncommon events and involves trees that are damaged and hazardous to work on. The training sessions cover the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.266, including personal protective equipment, chainsaw safety and maintenance, and proper tree felling techniques.

Links

The Minnesota Department of Health website includes health information in many categories, including asbestos in schools.

The Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning includes information for schools including recommendations on school safety and violence prevention.

The Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management, provides information for emergencies including county and statewide response plans.

The University of Minnesota Extension Service provides information on a broad range of topics including solid waste, pesticide safety, and indoor environmental issues such as air quality and air systems.
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Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Rules

[Chapters 5205, 5206, 5207, 5210, and 5215]

Chapter 5205 - General Industry
5205.0010 Adoption of Federal Occupational Safety and Health Standards by Reference
5205.0015 Application of Rules

Personal Protective Equipment
5205.0020 Head Protection
5205.0030 High Visibility Personal Protective Equipment

Walking, Working Surfaces
5205.0040 Elevated Storage Platform or Rack
5205.0050 Ships Ladders
5205.0060 Ships Ladders, Special Requirements
5205.0065 Suspension Scaffolds
5205.0080 Wells, Pits, Shafts, and Other Similar Spaces

General Environmental Controls
5205.0100 Submission of Environmental Control Measures
5205.0105 Vent Pipe Outlets
5205.0110 Workroom Ventilation and Temperature
5205.0115 Gas Fired Machines and Appliances
5205.0116 Carbon Monoxide Monitoring

Illumination
5205.0120 Minimum Levels of Illumination
5205.0130 Diffusion and Distribution of Light
5205.0140 Exit and Emergency Lighting
5205.0150 Maintaining the Level of Illumination

Ventilation for Garages
5205.0200 Garage Ventilation

Steam Boilers
5205.0330 Steam Boilers

Platform Manlifts
5205.0550 Installation Limitations
5205.0560 Inspection
5205.0570 Types of Manlifts
5205.0580 Hand-powered Platform Passenger Type Manlifts
5205.0590 Special Purpose Personnel Elevators

Maintenance and Repair of Buildings and Equipment
5205.0650 Scope
5205.0660 Maintenance Goals
5205.0665 Electrical Requirements
5205.0670 Blocking and Cribbing Machinery
5205.0675 Covers and Overhead Doors
5205.0685 Knives and Cutting Tools
5205.0686 Pressure Hoses
5205.0690 Lubrication of Moving Machinery
5205.0700 Wire Rope Clips
5205.0710 Alteration of Tools and Equipment

Vehicles
5205.0750 Motorized Self-propelled Vehicles
5205.0755 Police and Patrol Vehicles
5205.0760 Powered Industrial Truck Operations
5205.0765 Scissor Point Protection
5205.0770 Grease Racks, Hoists, and Pits

Machine Guarding
5205.0850 Pneumatic Power Tools
5205.0860 Machines with Revolving Parts
5205.0865 Foot Actuated Machines
5205.0880 Motor Start Button
5205.0890 Hydraulic Presses

Cranes and Hoists
5205.1200 Cranes and Hoists
5205.1210 Hoist Hook Safety Devices
5205.1220 Warning Signal

Personnel Platforms Suspended from Cranes and Derricks
5205.1230 Personnel Platforms Suspended from Cranes and Derricks

Hoppers
5205.1400 Inspection of Hoppers

Chapter 5206 - Employee Right-to-Know Standards
5206.0100 Definitions
5206.0200 Purpose
5206.0300 Scope; Exceptions
5206.0400 Hazardous Substances
5206.0500 Harmful Physical Agents
5206.0600 Infectious Agents
5206.0700 Training
5206.0800 Availability of Information

Labeling
5206.1000 Labeling Hazardous Substances
5206.1100 Labeling Harmful Physical Agents; Label Content
5206.1200 Certification of Existing Labeling Program

Farming Operations Training Plan
5206.1300 Purpose
5206.1400 Scope
5206.1500 Definitions
5206.1600 Hazardous Substances and Harmful Physical Agents
5206.1700 Training
5206.1800 Availability of Information
5206.1900 Labeling
5206.2000 Effective Date

Chapter 5207 - Construction
General
5207.0030 Demolition Operations
5207.0035 Demolition, Restoration, Remodeling Asbestos Survey
5207.0040 Spray Painting of Building Interiors
5207.0050 Wire Rope Clips
5207.0060 Flammable Liquid Tank Supports

Personal Protective Equipment
5207.0100 High Visibility Personal Protective Equipment

Walking, Working Surfaces
5207.0200 Ships Ladders
5207.0210 Ships Ladders, Special Requirements
5207.0250 Walking, Working Surfaces
5207.0260 Suspension Scaffolds
5207.0300 Confined Spaces
5207.0310 Carbon Monoxide Monitoring

Environmental Controls
5207.0320 Gas Fired Machines and Appliances

Cranes, Hoists, and Derricks
5207.0400 Cranes, Hoists, and Derricks
5207.0410 Personnel Platforms Suspended from Cranes and Derricks
5207.0500 Enclosures at Construction or Engineering Projects
5207.0510 Wells, Pits, Shafts, and Other Similar Spaces
5207.0520 Warning Signs at Construction or Engineering Projects
5207.0530 Sidewalk Sheds
5207.0540 Lights at Sidewalk Sheds

Machine Guarding
5207.0600 Lockout Devices
5207.0610 Motor Start Button
5207.0620 Machine Controls and Equipment
5207.0630 Foot Actuated Machines

Maintenance and Repair of Equipment
5207.0700 Compressed Gas Containers
5207.0710 Pressure Hoses
5207.0720 Alteration of Tools and Equipment
5207.0730 Lubrication of Moving Machinery
5207.0740 Scissor Point Protection

Sanitation
5207.0800 Privies at Construction and Engineering Projects
5207.0810 Jobsite Shelters

Vehicles
5207.0900 Powered Industrial Truck Operations
5207.0910 Servicing Multipiece and Single Piece Rim Wheels

Chapter 5210 - Occupational Safety and Health Administrative Rules
5210.0005 Definitions

Adoption of Standards
5210.0020 Scope
5210.0040 Petition for Adoption, Modification, or Revocation of a Standard
5210.0050 Initiation
5210.0060 Objections
5210.0070 Conduct of Hearing
5210.0080 Powers of Presiding Officer
5210.0090 Certification of the Hearing Record
5210.0100 Decision

Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records
5210.0150 Incorporation by Reference of Federal Standards (1910.1020)
5210.0160 Modified Definition

Discrimination Against Employees
5210.0210 Purpose and Scope
5210.0300 Participation in Protected Activities
5210.0310 Claim Procedures
5210.0320 Deferral of Action on Discrimination Complaint
5210.0330 Accepting Other Decisions as Final Determination
5210.0340 Enforcement Proceedings

Inspections, Citations, and Proposed Penalties
5210.0410 Purpose
5210.0420 Posting of Notices
5210.0450 Objection to Inspection
5210.0460 Waiver not Implied
5210.0470 Investigations
5210.0480 Representatives of Employers and Employees to Accompany Investigators
5210.0490 Consultation with Employer and Employees
5210.0500 Employee Rights During Inspection
5210.0510 Trade Secrets
5210.0520 Inspection not Warranted; Informal Review
5210.0530 Citations; Posting
5210.0533 Notice of Contest and Certification of Service
5210.0536 Employer Contest
5210.0539 Employee and Authorized Employee Representative Contests
5210.0542 Petitions for Modification of Abatement Date

Contested Case Hearings
5210.0548 Record Address
5210.0551 Service and Notice
5210.0554 Filing; Facsimile
5210.0557 Form of Pleadings
5210.0561 Signature on Pleadings
5210.0564 Refusal of Pleading
5210.0567 Caption; Case Title
5210.0570 Complaint; Notice; Answer
5210.0573 Party Status
5210.0576 Representatives of Parties and Intervenors
5210.0579 Motions
5210.0583 Consolidation and Severance of Cases
5210.0589 Protection of Trade Secrets and Other Confidential Information
5210.0595 Hearing
5210.0596 Settlement; Miscellaneous Provisions
5210.0597 Expedited Proceeding

Variances
5210.0800 Purpose and Scope
5210.0810 Effect of Variances
5210.0820 Temporary Variances
5210.0830 Permanent Variances
5210.0835 Interim Orders
5210.0850 Order Denying Variance
5210.0860 Objection to Variance Denial
5210.0870 Multi-state Variances

Trade Secret Registration
5210.0900 Registration
5210.0910 Promulgation and Procedures
5210.0920 Required Information
5210.0930 Expiration of Registration
5210.0940 Classification of Data
5210.0950 Disclosure
5210.0960 Determination Procedure

Statutory Authority/Legislation
Enabling legislation for the Minnesota OSHA program is codified in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 182.

State Webmaster
James Honerman
Communications Office
(651) 284-5313
(651)-284-5721 FAX
James Honerman

Minnesota
Different Minnesota standards are posted at:
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/5205/

Minnesota OSHA Safety Lines Newsletter

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