As a reminder, the State of New Hampshire requires all employers, in addition to complying with Federal OSHA Regulations, to comply with State requirements. While these requirements are not new, we have heard from a number of clients throughout the State that they are receiving substantial penalties for not properly meeting these conditions. To help our clients “Be Ready for Anything”, we have given a breakdown below of specific requirements regarding safety & health programs in the State of New Hampshire.
It is a requirement of ALL employers no matter the size or number of employees to provide ‘safe employment’. This includes adopting work methods and procedures that will protect the life, health, and safety of employees and may include furnishing personal protective equipment, safety appliances and safeguards.
All employers with 5 or more employees must have an active joint loss management committee (JLMC) that contains an equal number of employer and employee representatives. Employee representatives are required to be selected by other employees. The JLMC must meet at least quarterly to develop and carry out workplace safety programs, alternative work programs, and programs for continuing safety education. Minutes from each meeting must be maintained and made available for review by all employees.
All employers with 10 or more employees must have a current written safety program. This program must contain specific rules and regulations regarding employee safety as well as include the process of warnings, job suspension, and job termination for violations of safety rules & regulations. It must also address medical services, emergency response, first aid, and accident reporting and investigation. Finally, the program must be available to all employees for review.
All employers with 10 or more employees must file a summary of their safety program biennially with the commissioner of labor on January 1, via the Safety Summary. This form is provided by the New Hampshire Department of Labor, and copies are available at http://www.labor.state.nh.us/safety_training_forms.asp. This form may be completed online or downloaded and sent to the New Hampshire Department of Labor.
