Introduction
The state-level regulations surrounding combustible dust are complex! Most states start with the same basic foundation — e.g., codes and standards developed by OSHA, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the International Code Council (ICC). But then they each put their own twist on the rules, for example, by adopting different editions of the codes, or sometimes only parts of a code, and making modifications. And, in some states, building and fire codes are established and enforced at the local level.
If you operate a facility, you must comply with all of the applicable regulations in your area. To help you better understand these regulations (or at least find contact info for the people in the know), we’ve compiled a list of state-level resources, which you’ll find below. These resources include specific guidance on combustible dust when available, as well as links to state OSHA offices, labor departments and safety programs, building commission and fire marshal websites, and more.
Our goal is to maintain a comprehensive list of state regulations and resources related to combustible dust, so if you know of a code that has been updated or a resource that would be helpful here, please tell us. The more knowledge is out there about this hazard, the safer we all are.
General Resources
- OSHA standards that address combustible dust hazards
- OSHA Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program
- OSHA consensus standards on combustible dust — These include standards from the NFPA, FM Global, and ICC. They are not OSHA regulations, but they may be required by state or local governments or individual companies.
- OSHA Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts
- International Codes — Adoption by State (July 2018)
Alabama
Alabama operates under federal OSHA. The State Building Commission website says that the current building code incorporates the 2009 International Building and Fire Codes and the 2011 National Electric Code. However, according to the International Code Council, Alabama has adopted the 2015 editions, so an update may be coming. The State Fire Marshal Regulations were last amended in January 2018.
- OSHA offices in Alabama
- Alabama Department of Labor
- Alabama Building Commission Codes and Standards
- Alabama State Fire Marshal Regulations
The University of Alabama offers a variety of courses in OSHA standards, including a seminar on combustible dust hazards. View the course descriptions here.
Alaska
Alaska has an OSHA-approved state plan that includes all of federal OSHA standards as well as some additional standards. The Alaska Administrative Code is based on the 2012 International Building and Fire Codes.
- OSHA offices in Alaska
- Alaska OSHA State Plan overview
- Alaska OSHA
- Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Labor Standards and Safety
- Alaska Department of Public Safety: Fire and Life Safety Regulations
Arizona
Arizona has an OSHA-approved state plan that includes all of federal OSHA standards as well as some additional standards. Arizona adopted federal OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program in 2008. Building and fire codes are adopted and enforced at the local level.
- OSHA offices in Arizona
- Arizona OSHA State Plan overview
- Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health
- Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
Arkansas
Alabama operates under federal OSHA. The state currently has an OSHA Regional Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities, which references the Combustible Dust NEP. Arkansas’ fire prevention code is based on the 2012 International Building and Fire Codes.
- OSHA offices in Arkansas
- Arkansas Department of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Program
- Arkansas Fire Prevention Code
- Arkansas Division of Building Authority
California
California has one of the country’s most stringent OSHA-approved state plans. Title 8, Section 5174 outlines the regulations for controlling combustible dust. According to this standard, the preferred method of cleaning is with a permanently installed grounded vacuum cleaning system. California has adopted the 2015 versions of the International Building and Fire Codes.
- OSHA offices in California
- Cal/OSHA
- California Building Standards Commission
- California State Fire Marshal
Colorado
Colorado operates under federal OSHA. Certain jurisdictions in the state currently have an OSHA Regional Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities, which references the Combustible Dust NEP. Its Building Code Compliance Policy was last updated in July 2018. It currently incorporates the 2015 International Building Code, the 2012 International Fire Code, and NFPA standards.
- OSHA offices in Colorado
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Workplace Safety
- Colorado Building Codes
- Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: Fire and Life Safety
Connecticut
Connecticut’s OSHA-approved state plan is identical to federal OSHA. Connecticut currently uses the 2015 International Building and Fire Codes. The State Building Inspector, the State Fire Marshal, and the Codes and Standards Committee are in the process of reviewing the codes. They intend to adopt the 2018 ICC codes in the next update of state codes, which is slated for 2020.
- OSHA offices in Connecticut
- Connecticut Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health
- Connecticut Office of the State Building Inspector
- Connecticut Office of State Fire Marshal
Delaware
Delaware operates under federal OSHA. Building codes are adopted at the local level. Currently, one or more jurisdictions has adopted some edition of the International Building Code, while no jurisdiction in the state uses the International Fire Code. Delaware doesn’t have any specific combustible dust regulations, but it does provide some resources about the hazard.
- OSHA offices in Delaware
- Delaware Workplace Safety Program
- Delaware Division of Industrial Affairs: Office of Safety and Health Consultation
- Combustible Dust [Presentation]
- Delaware Building Permits and Construction Codes
- Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal
Florida
Florida operates under federal OSHA. The state has adopted the 2015 International Building Code, and the state fire code is based on NFPA 1: Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in Florida
- Florida Occupational Health Surveillance
- Florida Building Codes
- Florida Fire Prevention Code
Georgia
Georgia operates under federal OSHA but has a state combustible dust regulation, issued by the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. Under the law, all facilities that manufacture, process, or handle combustible dust must register every year with the Fire Commissioner and adhere to other safety measures. The same goes for a facility in any industry that has manufacturing processes that create combustible dust. The state has adopted the 2012 International Building and Fire Codes.
- OSHA offices in Georgia
- Georgia Occupational Health and Safety Surveillance Program
- Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
- Georgia’s Construction Codes
Hawaii
Hawaii has an OSHA-approved state plan. Hawaii has adopted federal OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program. In November 2018, Hawaii adopted the 2012 International Building Code. The state fire code references NFPA 1, Fire Code, 2012 Edition.
- OSHA offices in Hawaii
- State of Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health
- Hawaii State Fire Council
- Building Code Rules
Idaho
Idaho operates under federal OSHA. In December 2018, the state launched a Local Emphasis Program for Inspections in the Grain Handling Industry. Idaho has adopted the 2015 International Building and Fire Codes with some amendments.
- OSHA offices in Idaho
- Idaho Division of Building Safety
- Idaho State Fire Marshal: Statutes, Rules, Codes, & Standards
Illinois
Illinois operates under federal OSHA. As of October 2018, the state has a Local Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities as well as a Local Emphasis Program for the Wood Pallet Manufacturing Industry. Building codes are adopted on a local level. The state fire code is based on the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code.
- OSHA offices in Illinois
- Illinois OSHA
- Illinois Health and Safety
- Illinois Building Codes and Regulations
- Illinois State Fire Marshal
Indiana
Indiana’s OSHA-approved state plan is identical to federal OSHA. In October 2018, Indiana was put under a Local Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The state has adopted the 2012 International Building and Fire Codes.
- OSHA offices in Indiana
- Indiana OSHA
- OSHA and Combustible Dust [Presentation]
- Indiana Fire Prevention & Building Safety Commission / Code Services
- Indiana State Fire Marshal
Iowa
Iowa has an OSHA-approved state plan. Iowa has adopted federal OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program and also has a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) for Grain Handling Establishments. The 2015 International Building and Fire Codes are applicable statewide.
- OSHA offices in Iowa
- Iowa OSHA Administrative Rules and Iowa Code
- Iowa Building Code Bureau
- Iowa State Fire Marshal
Kansas
Kansas operates under federal OSHA. In October 2018, it launched a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) for Grain Handling Facilities. Building codes are determined by local jurisdictions.
- OSHA offices in Kansas
- Kansas Department of Labor: Workplace Safety
- Combustible Dust Issues [Presentation]
- Kansas State Fire Marshal: Code Listing
Kentucky
Kentucky has an OSHA-approved state plan (for now, an FY2017 federal audit found that Kentucky’s OSHA was not meeting the required standards). The Kentucky Building Code is based on the 2015 International Building Code.
- OSHA offices in Kentucky
- KYSafe: Occupational Safety and Health
- Kentucky Building Code
- Kentucky State Fire Marshal
Louisiana
Louisiana operates under federal OSHA. In October 2018, OSHA renewed the Region VI Regional Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The state Uniform Construction Code includes the 2015 International Building Code and the 2014 National Electrical Code. The state fire marshal enforces the 2015 edition of the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code.
- OSHA offices in Louisiana
- Louisiana Workforce Commission
- Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council
- Louisiana State Fire Marshal
Maine
Maine has an OSHA-approved state plan that covers state and local government employees. Otherwise, it operates under federal OSHA. The Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code implements the 2015 International Building Code. The state fire rules incorporate NFPA standards.
- OSHA offices in Maine
- Maine Department of Labor: Workplace Safety and Health
- Maine Building Codes and Standards
- Maine Office of State Fire Marshal
Maryland
Maryland has an OSHA-approved state plan. It considers combustible dust a high-emphasis hazard and participates in OSHA’s Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program. As a state, Maryland has adopted the 2015 International Code Council codes, but each local jurisdiction may modify them as it sees fit. The State Fire Prevention Code incorporates NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (2015 Edition), but local jurisdictions may specify their own fire codes.
- OSHA offices in Maryland
- Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) – Division of Labor and Industry
- Maryland Building Codes
- Maryland Fire Codes and Ordinance Information
Massachusetts
Massachusetts operates under federal OSHA. The state building code uses a modified version of the 2015 International Building Code and portions of the 2015 International Fire Code. The fire code incorporates NFPA 1, 2015 edition. Both have provisions related to combustible dust.
- OSHA offices in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
- Workplace Safety and Health for Public Employees
- Massachusetts Workplace Safety and Health Program
- Massachusetts State Building Code
- Use and Occupancy Classification
- Massachusetts State Fire and Electrical Code
Michigan
Michigan has an OSHA-approved state plan. As of 2018, the state has a Local Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The state has adopted the 2015 International Building Code and jurisdictions use different versions of the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in Michigan
- Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes
- Michigan State Fire Marshal
Minnesota
Minnesota has an OSHA-approved state plan. In 2018, the state launched a Local Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The state has adopted the 2012 International Building and Fire Codes, with some special state provisions.
- OSHA offices in Minnesota
- Minnesota OSHA Compliance — Standards and Regulations
- Guide to the Minnesota State Building Code
- Minnesota State Fire Marshal: Fire Code
Mississippi
Mississippi operates under federal OSHA. Building codes are adopted at the county and local levels.
- OSHA offices in Mississippi
- Mississippi State Department of Health
- Mississippi Uniform Building Codes
- Mississippi State Fire Marshal
Missouri
Missouri operates under federal OSHA. The state considers combustible dust a targeted area for OSHA compliance. The state DOL provides several samples of safety programs and plans, including for fire prevention and hazard communication. Building codes are adopted at the county and local levels.
- OSHA offices in Missouri
- Missouri Department of Labor & Industrial Relations – OSHA Initiatives
- Official Missouri State Website
- Missouri State Fire Marshal
Montana
Montana operates under federal OSHA. In October 2018, the agency renewed the Regional Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The state has adopted the 2012 editions of both the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in Montana
- Montana Department of Labor and Industry: Montana Safety and Health
- Montana Safety Culture Act
- Confined Space Entry [Informational booklet]
- Montana Code Annotated 2017 (Updated November 2018)
- Montana Current Building Codes
- Montana State Fire Marshal
Nebraska
Nebraska operates under federal OSHA. In October 2018, the agency renewed its Nebraska Grain Handling Industry Local Emphasis Program (LEP). The state has adopted the 2012 edition of the International Building Code. The state fire code references NFPA 1 and NFPA 101.
- OSHA offices in Nebraska
- Nebraska Department of Labor
- Nebraska Department of Administrative Services: State Building Division
- Nebraska State Fire Marshal
Nevada
Nevada has an OSHA-approved state plan that is almost identical to federal OSHA. Nevada is part of OSHA Region IX, which was placed under a local emphasis program for combustible dust in 2015. The state has adopted the 2012 editions of both the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in Nevada
- Nevada Department of Business & Industry: Industrial Relations
- Nevada Public Works Division
- Nevada State Fire Marshal
New Hampshire
New Hampshire operates under federal OSHA. The state was one of the first to make laws to protect workers, and they continue that commitment by providing myriad resources about workplace health and safety. The state has adopted the 2009 edition of the International Building Code. The state fire code references the Life Safety Code 2015 edition and the Uniform Fire Code NFPA 1, 2009 edition.
- OSHA offices in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Department of Labor
- New Hampshire State Building Code
- New Hampshire Department of Safety: Division of Fire Safety
New Jersey
New Jersey has an OSHA-approved state plan. The state building subcode adopts the 2015 International Building Code and has its own version of the 2015 International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in New Jersey
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
- Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH)
- New Jersey Codes and Regulations
- New Jersey Division of Fire Safety
New Mexico
New Mexico has an OSHA-approved state plan that’s identical to federal OSHA, with the addition of some state-specific standards including three related to hazard communication. In October 2018, the state renewed a Regional Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. New Mexico has adopted the 2015 International Building Code and the 2003 International Fire Code. Some jurisdictions have additional code requirements.
- OSHA offices in New Mexico
- New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau
- Combustible Dust [Presentation]
- New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department: Construction Industries & Manufactured Housing — Rules and Laws
- New Mexico State Fire Marshal
New York
New York has an OSHA-approved state plan that incorporates several state-initiated standards including its own regulation on recording and reporting occupational injuries and illnesses. New York State and New York City have both adopted the 2015 editions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in New York
- New York Department of Labor: Public Employee Safety & Health (PESH)
- New York State Division of Building Standards and Codes (BSC)
- New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council
North Carolina
North Carolina has an OSHA-approved state plan, which specifies that combustible dust hazards may be cited using either 29 CFR 1910.22(a) – Housekeeping or N.C. General Statute 95-129(1), aka the General Duty Clause. The Department of Labor provides many resources about combustible dust, including videos and training courses. North Carolina updates its state codes every three years. The 2018 NC codes are based on the 2015 International Codes.
- OSHA offices in North Carolina
- North Carolina Department of Labor Standards Information and Activity
- Combustible Dust
- Combustible Dust Explosion Prevention Program
- Special Emphasis Program for Food Manufacturing Facilities
- Cotton Dust
- Grain Handling Facilities
- A Guide to Combustible Dusts
- Combustible Dust Hazard Alert
- A Guide to Occupational Exposure to Wood, Wood Dust, and Combustible Dust Hazards
- A Guide to Safety and Health in Feed and Grain Mills
- A Guide to Safe Work Practices in the Poultry Processing Industry
- North Carolina State Building Codes
- North Carolina State Fire Marshal
North Dakota
North Dakota operates under federal OSHA. In October 2018, the agency renewed a Regional Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The state offers online safety training and risk management solutions for a wide range of topics, including combustible dust. The state building code is based on the 2015 International Building Code.
- OSHA offices in North Dakota
- North Dakota Department of Health
- North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance
- North Dakota Division of Community Services
- North Dakota Attorney General [State Fire Marshal’s Office]
Ohio
Ohio operates under federal OSHA. The state currently has a Local Emphasis Program for the Wood Pallet Manufacturing Industry and a Local Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The state has adopted the 2015 versions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma operates under federal OSHA. In October 2018, the agency renewed a Regional Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The state has adopted, with modifications, the 2018 editions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Public Employees Occupational Safety & Health Division
- Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission
- Oklahoma State Fire Marshal
Oregon
Oregon has an OSHA-approved state plan that has many unique standards for general industry, construction, and agriculture. The state building and fire codes are based on the 2012 versions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in Oregon
- Oregon OSHA
- State of Oregon Building Codes Division
- Oregon State Police – Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania operates under federal OSHA. The state has adopted the 2015 versions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
- Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department
Rhode Island
Rhode Island operates under federal OSHA. The state building code incorporates the 2012 International Building Code, and the state fire safety code references NFPA 1, 2015 edition.
- OSHA offices in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
- Rhode Island State Building & Fire Code Regulations
- Rhode Island Building Code Commission
- Rhode Island Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review
South Carolina
South Carolina has an OSHA-approved state plan that is nearly identical to federal OSHA, with only a few state-specific standards. The state has adopted, with modifications, the 2015 versions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in South Carolina
- South Carolina OSHA
- South Carolina Building Codes Council
- South Carolina State Fire Marshal
South Dakota
South Dakota operates under federal OSHA. In October 2018, the agency renewed a Regional Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The state has approved the 2015 versions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code for local adoption.
- OSHA offices in South Dakota
- South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation
- South Dakota Legislature: Codified Laws — Building Codes and Standards
- South Dakota State Fire Marshal
- South Dakota Department of Insurance
Tennessee
Tennessee has an OSHA-approved state plan nearly identical to federal OSHA, with the exception of a few unique standards for general industry. The state has adopted the 2012 versions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in Tennessee
- Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA)
- Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance: Codes Enforcement
- Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office
Texas
Texas operates under federal OSHA. In October 2018, the agency renewed a Regional Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The state has adopted the 2003 version of the International Building Code. Fire codes are adopted at the county level and “must be consistent with the requirements of the International Fire Code as it existed on May 1, 2005, or the Uniform Fire Code as it existed on May 1, 2005.”
- OSHA offices in Texas
- Texas Workforce Commission
- Texas State Law Library: Building Codes
- Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office
- Texas Department of Insurance
Utah
Utah has an OSHA-approved state plan with several unique standards, including one for combustible substances in the agriculture industry. The Utah Administrative Code contains some sections on dust collectors and ventilation for facilities that contain combustible dust. The Utah State Codes are based on the 2015 versions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in Utah
- Utah Occupational Safety and Health (UOSH)
- Utah Administrative Code
- Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing: Uniform Building Codes
- Utah Department of Public Safety: Fire Marshal
Vermont
Vermont has an OSHA-approved state plan that is nearly identical to federal OSHA. The Vermont Fire & Building Safety Code is based on the 2015 versions of the International Building Code, NFPA 101, and NFPA 1.
- OSHA offices in Vermont
- Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Vermont Division of Fire Safety
- Vermont 2015 Fire & Building Safety Code
Virginia
Virginia has an OSHA-approved state plan that includes the majority of federal OSHA standards as well as a few unique ones. The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code incorporates much of the 2015 International Building Code. The fire code is enforced at the local level.
- OSHA offices in Virginia
- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry: VOSH
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
- Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code
Washington
Washington has an OSHA-approved state plan that contains many unique standards, several of which apply to combustible dust. The state has adopted the 2015 versions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in Washington
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: Division of Occupational Safety & Health — Rules & Requirements
- Combustible Dusts
- Enforcement and Consultation Guidance for Combustible Dust Hazards
- Hazard Alert: Deadly Sawmill Dust Explosions
- Combustible Dust Mitigation Solutions – Bridging the gap between hazardous wood dust awareness and actively eliminating risk through effective mitigation programs in wood product manufacturing
- Washington State Building Code Council
- Washington State Fire Marshal
West Virginia
West Virginia operates under federal OSHA. The state has adopted the 2015 versions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.
- OSHA offices in West Virginia
- West Virginia Department of Labor
- West Virginia State Building Code
- West Virginia State Fire Marshal
Wisconsin
Wisconsin operates under federal OSHA. In October 2018, the agency continued a Local Emphasis Program for the Wood Pallet Manufacturing Industry and a Local Emphasis Program for Grain Handling Facilities. The Wisconsin Commercial Building Code includes the 2015 International Building Code. The state fire prevention code is the 2012 edition of NFPA 1.
- OSHA offices in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Occupational Health Program
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
- Wisconsin Department of Justice: State Fire Marshal
Wyoming
Wyoming has an OSHA-approved state plan, which adopts federal OSHA standards identically and adds a few standards in areas where no federal standard exists. The state fire marshal has adopted the 2018 versions of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.