Occupational Safety and Health Jurisdiction in South Carolina
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) allows states to assume their own occupational safety and health responsibilities as long as they're "at least as effective" as the federal program.
South Carolina has an official state plan that covers all state and local government workers in South Carolina, as well as most private sector workers.
The state plan adopts federal OSHA standards with just a handful of exceptions. The South Carolina OSHA (SC OSHA) handles enforcement of these standards, under the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (LLR).
A small number of South Carolinians remain under federal OSHA jurisdiction, instead. Specifically:
- Federal employment
- The U.S. Postal Service plus private contractor-operated facilities engaged by USPS
- Maritime operations (ie, shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring)
- Private-sector employment on military bases
- Certain agricultural employees and operations
- Private-sector employment at Area D of the Savannah River Site and at Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority
- Working conditions of aircraft cabin crewmembers onboard aircraft in operation
- Any hazard, industry, area, operation, or facility where the State Plan is unable to effectively exercise jurisdiction
OSHA South Carolina Training Requirements
Since South Carolina adopted most federal standards identically, South Carolinians will follow similar training requirements regardless of jurisdiction.
OSHA requires training on specific safety standards that apply to your job functions.
SC OSHA helpfully clarifies where their standards differ from federal standards on their website. If you're under SC OSHA jurisdiction, just make sure to train employees according to the state standards on those topics. These changes tend to be small and specific.
Federal OSHA also has Outreach courses (sometimes referred to as "DOL cards") that cover common requirements for your industry. Even though OSHA doesn't require OSHA Outreach training, some employers might. In that case, you’ll either need an OSHA 10-Hour course for entry-level workers or an OSHA 30-Hour course for supervisors.
Learn More About OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour Courses for South Carolinians
We offer OSHA 10-Hour Construction, OSHA 30-Hour Construction, OSHA 10-Hour General Industry, and OSHA 30-Hour General Industry to meet your OSHA training needs.
Not sure where to start? Read our guide.
Read NowBenefits of OSHA South Carolina Training for Workers
While the main goal of OSHA training is to help increase employee awareness and well-being, employers can also benefit from an investment in OSHA training programs. Businesses can:
- Avoid penalties from OSHA inspections
- Lower workers’ compensation costs
- Increase productivity and financial performance
While it’s easy to say that training will keep workers safe, it’s another thing to see the actual statistics from OSHA, the Department of Labor, and other South Carolina agencies. These statistics prove in the importance of work safety training.
Fatal Occupational Injuries in South Carolina
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were a total of 132 fatal occupational injuries in South Carolina in 2022, while nationally there were 5,486 fatal occupational injuries.
Of the 132 fatalities:
- 51 were the result of transportation incidents
- 23 were the result of contact with objects and equipment
- 21 were the result of exposure to harmful substances or environments
- 16 were the result of falls, slips, and trips
- 19 were the result of violence and other injuries by persons or animals
The industries with the greatest number of fatalities were:
- 24 in construction
- 20 in transportation and warehousing
- 14 in manufacturing
- 10 in administrative and waste services
- 9 in local government
- 8 in accommodation and food services
- 8 in retail trade
2023 Top OSHA Enforcement Cases in South Carolina
As you know, workers in South Carolina, especially those in construction, are at a high risk for injuries, accidents, and fatalities. However, employees aren’t the only ones at risk for loss. Without safety training, employers can avoid loss from OSHA inspection enforcement penalties.
While OSHA lists the top enforcement cases in South Carolina on their website, to give you a quick idea of the hefty noncompliance fines you could face, here are the top cases of 2023.
(Side scroll for additional content)
State | Inspection Number | Employer | City | Issuance Date | Initial Penalty |
SC | 1662828.015 | Aspire Bakeries LLC | WEST COLUMBIA | 9/28/23 | $42,000.00 |
SC | 1663773.015 | Detyens Shipyards, Inc. | NORTH CHARLESTON | 8/25/23 | $91,836.00 |
Federal and State OSHA Offices in South Carolina
Since South Carolina employers and workers are divided up into federal and state jurisdiction, there are separate local area offices for state and federal OSHA.
Both offices are located in the city of Columbia.
You need to contact a federal office if you're in private sector maritime activities; employment on military bases; Savannah River and Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority private sector employment; federal government workers; and the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Everyone else needs the South Carolina state plan office, instead. That includes the rest of the private sector and all state or local government authorities.
You can find the most up-to-date contact information for either type of South Carolina OSHA office on OSHA's website.
Additional South Carolina Resources for Safety Information
In addition to the information we have provided, you can visit additional South Carolina state agency and association websites for more information on safety resources.
South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR): The LLR is deeply involved in many aspects of workers’ lives to make South Carolina a safe place. As such, they manage many different divisions that enforce and manage safety regulations.
South Carolina Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA): As you now know, South Carolina has its own OSHA department where you can learn more about the state’s regulations for safety.
South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission: You’ll find a wealth of information on how to file a claim and answers to frequently asked questions.
Enroll Now in South Carolina OSHA Training Courses
Now that you understand the importance of safety training for the well-being of workers, all that’s left is for you to determine which OSHA South Carolina training course you need!
Luckily, you don’t have to look far with our course selection. We have over 20 years of experience as an OSHA-authorized training provider, and we offer OSHA 10-Hour Construction, OSHA 30-Hour Construction, OSHA 10-Hour General Industry, and OSHA 30-Hour General Industry to satisfy your OSHA training needs.
Simply sign up for the appropriate safety course and start learning today!