Are local governments subject to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations?
No, but local governments are subject to
state regulations which are at least as stringent as OSHA regulations.
Although OSHA governs the private sector and federal agencies in
Wisconsin, OSHA does not have jurisdiction over the
state or local governments because the definition of “employer” under
the OSHA Act of 1970 specifically excludes states and any political
subdivision of a state. Instead, the State of Wisconsin has jurisdiction
and Wis. Stat. sec. 101.055(3)(a) requires that the Department of
Safety and Professional Services adopt, by administrative rule,
standards to protect the safety and health of public employees. These
standards must provide protection at least equal to that provided to
private sector employees under OSHA standards.