[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 9]
[Revised as of July 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1953.3]

[Page 123]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                          OF LABOR (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1953_CHANGES TO STATE PLANS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1953.3  General policies and procedures.

    (a) Effectiveness of State plan changes under State law. Federal 
OSHA approval of a State plan under section 18(b) of the OSH Act in 
effect removes the barrier of Federal preemption, and permits the State 
to adopt and enforce State standards and other requirements regarding 
occupational safety or health issues regulated by OSHA. A State with an 
approved plan may modify or supplement the requirements contained in its 
plan, and may implement such requirements under State law, without prior 
approval of the plan change by Federal OSHA. Changes to approved State 
plans are subject to subsequent OSHA review. If OSHA finds reason to 
reject a State plan change, and this determination is upheld after an 
adjudicatory proceeding, the plan change would then be excluded from the 
State's Federally-approved plan.
    (b) Required State plan notifications and supplements. Whenever a 
State makes a change to its legislation, regulations, standards, or 
major changes to policies or procedures, which affect the operation of 
the State plan, the State shall provide written notification to OSHA. 
When the change differs from a corresponding Federal program component, 
the State shall submit a formal, written plan supplement. When the State 
adopts a provision which is identical to a corresponding Federal 
provision, written notification, but no formal plan supplement, is 
required. However, the State is expected to maintain the necessary 
underlying State document (e.g., legislation or standard) and to make it 
available for review upon request. All plan change supplements or 
required documentation must be submitted within 60 days of adoption of 
the change. Submission of all notifications and supplements may be in 
electronic format.
    (c) Plan supplement availability. Copies of all principal documents 
comprising the State plan, whether approved or pending approval, shall 
be available for inspection and copying at the Federal and State 
locations specified in the subpart of Part 1952 of this chapter relating 
to each State plan. The underlying documentation for identical plan 
changes shall be maintained by the State and shall similarly be 
available for inspection and copying at the State locations. Annually, 
States shall submit updated copies of the principal documents comprising 
the plan, or appropriate page changes, to the extent that these 
documents have been revised. To the extent possible, plan documents will 
be maintained and submitted by the State in electronic format and also 
made available in such manner.
    (d) Advisory opinions. Upon State request, OSHA may issue an 
advisory opinion on the approvability of a proposed change which differs 
from the Federal program prior to promulgation or adoption by the State 
and submission as a formal supplement.
    (e) Alternative procedures. Upon reasonable notice to interested 
persons, the Assistant Secretary may prescribe additional or alternative 
procedures in order to expedite the review process or for any other good 
cause which may be consistent with the applicable laws.