State Plans
State OSHA Plan Requirements
Federal OSHA covers most states directly, but OSHA-approved State Plans can add requirements on top. Here's how to tell which applies to you.
Federal OSHA Applies in Most States
Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P directly in most states. This site's excavation and Competent Person courses are designed around these federal standards unless otherwise stated.
OSHA-Approved State Plans May Differ
Roughly half the states, plus a few territories, operate their own OSHA-approved State Plan, run by a state agency instead of federal OSHA. State Plans are required to be at least as effective as federal OSHA standards, and many add requirements on top - different training documentation, additional protective-system rules, or state-specific reporting.
What Employers Should Check
- Whether your state operates its own OSHA-approved State Plan or falls under federal OSHA
- Whether your state plan has excavation-specific requirements beyond 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P
- Whether your state plan requires additional documentation, permits, or state-specific training elements
- Your state's occupational safety agency contact for confirming current requirements
This course is designed around federal OSHA standards unless otherwise stated. If you're in an OSHA-approved State Plan state, confirm any additional or different requirements with your state's occupational safety agency before relying on this training as your sole compliance documentation.
Official reference: OSHA State Plans directory → - find your state's plan (if any) and its administering agency.