Occupational Safety and Health-State Program (17.503)
Program
17.503 Occupational Safety and Health-State Program
Federal Agency
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Authorization
Occupational Safety and Health Act, Section 23(g), Public Law 91-596, 29 U.S.C. 60 (c).
Program Number
17.503
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To fund federally approved comprehensive State occupational safety and health programs that are "at least as effective" as the Federal program.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants to States to administer and enforce State programs for occupational safety and health, limited to States having federally approved plans.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Designated State agencies which have federally approved occupational safety and health plans.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Any employer, worker or their representative from a business engaged in interstate commerce except those under jurisdiction of other Federal agencies.
Credentials/Documentation
State agency responsible for occupational safety and health must show that its program is "at least as effective" as the Federal occupational safety and health program. This is accomplished by providing standards covering occupational safety and health issues, an enforcement program for those standards, and adequate legal authority and resources to operate the program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
No preapplication is required. This program is excluded from coverage under Executive Order 12372.
Application Procedure
Application instructions are distributed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to the approved State plan States through OSHA's Regional Offices. Completed applications are returned to the National Office through the Regional Offices. OMB Circular No. A-102 governs application requirements.
Award Procedure
Final approval of funding requests is given annually by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
Deadlines
Annual schedules are established by OSHA's National Grants Office. Contact National Grant Office for deadline schedules.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Grants to States for administering their own safety and health programs that can be renewed indefinitely, provided they continue to meet the "at least as effective" requirements. Applications for renewals are submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's National Grants Office.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Matching is required. The Federal share may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost to the State.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
State program grants are aspects of a continuing program. Grantees receive funds through the Department of Health and Human Services' Payment Management System.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Program and fiscal reports are required quarterly.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Records must be retained for three years following grant closeout or final audit, whichever is later.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2002, State inspections totaled 58,074; fiscal year 2003 estimate, 57,500 State enforcement inspections; fiscal year 2004 estimate, 57,500 State enforcement.
Financial Information
Account Identification
16-0400-0-1-554.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $89,747,000; FY 03 est $90,547,000; and FY 04 est $91,747,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Fiscal year 2002 grants ranged from $314,000 to $22,147,000. These awards represent approximately 50 percent of total program cost.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
29 CFR PARTS 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1908, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 2200; OMB Circulars A-102, A-110, and A-87; and 29 CFR Parts 96 and 97.
Related Programs
17.502, Occupational Safety and Health_Susan Harwood Training Grants; 17.504, Consultation Agreements; 17.600, Mine Health and Safety Grants; 17.601, Mine Health and Safety Counseling and Technical Assistance; 17.602, Mine Health and Safety Education and Training; 93.262, Occupational Safety and Health Research Grants; 93.263, Occupational Safety and Health_Training Grants.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Regional Offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Headquarters Office
Assistant Secretary, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210. Contact: Arlene Williams. Telephone: (202) 693-1919.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Twenty-six State agencies operate approved State plans by providing standards covering occupational safety and health issues, an enforcement program for those standards, and adequate legal authority and resources to operate their programs.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Grants may be awarded only to a State agency, designated by the Governor of a State, which has had its State Plan approved by the Assistant Secretary and which has submitted an application for a grant.
