Hawaii, Feds Reverse Course On Concurrent Jurisdiction, Agree To Share Authority For Now

Hawaii's state OSHA plan and federal OSHA have agreed on a tentative plan for concurrent jurisdiction until the state's budget woes subside and the state plan can maintain higher staffing levels. The change to the state plan's status -- on which the feds are seeking public comment as a proposed rule -- backtracks on an informal agreement the agencies reached more than a year ago to head off concurrent jurisdiction. But a source familiar with the issue says the move does not signal broader intent by OSHA to expand its jurisdiction in the states. OSHA says that following three years of “signific