Workplace Health and Safety

Workers can face a variety of health and safety challenges in the course of their jobs. Both federal and state laws cover workplace health safety.

Federal Law

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides workplace health and safety protections to most private sector workers and to all federal agencies.  

The workplace safety issues workers experience can vary widely depending on what type of work their employer does and what type of work the worker does for their employer.

• OSHA has a detailed A-Z topics list that links out to more specific guidance.

• Each year, OSHA publishes the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards following worksite inspections. They then link out to safety resources related to that standard.

Major Federal Health and Safety Laws and Guidance

• Occupational Health and Safety Act, 29 U.S.C. Chapter 15
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, 29 C.F.R. Chapter XVII
• OSHA Standard Interpretations
• OSHA's Law and Regulations web page

Iowa Law

Iowa OSHA applies to most private sector workers and to state and local government workers.

• More information on Iowa OSHA coverage is here.
• To contact Iowa OSHA or find out more about Iowa OSHA’s work, visit Iowa OSHA’s safety and health compliance website.

Major Iowa Health and Safety Laws

• Occupational Health and Safety, Iowa Code Chapter 88
• Iowa OSHA regulations (within the Labor Services Division of the Iowa Administrative Code):
  • Chapter 3 - Posting, Inspections, Citations and Proposed Penalties
  • Chapter 4 - Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
  • Chapter 5 - Rules of Practice for Variances
  • Chapter 8 - Consultative Services
  • Chapter 9 - Discrimination Against Employees
  • Chapter 10 - General Industry Safety and Health Rules
  • Chapter 26 - Construction Safety and Health Rules
  • Chapter 28 - Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Agriculture
  • Chapter 29 - Sanitation and Shelter Rules for Railroad Employees