Washington – Faced with budgetary and staffing challenges, the Hawaii State Plan for Occupational Safety and Health is seeking to hand over some of its enforcement responsibilities to federal OSHA.

The State Plan state is requesting its approval status be downgraded from “final approval” to “initial approval,” according to a July 19 Federal Register notice (.pdf file). This modification is necessary to allow federal OSHA to act as a supplement to State Plan enforcement and have the authority to enforce OSHA requirements. The HIOSH program would still maintain its legal authority and its status as a federally approved State Plan.

Hawaii officials intend to regain final approval status as soon as possible, and federal OSHA will assist (.pdf file) the HIOSH program, the notice stated.

Members of the public are invited to submit comments on the modification by Aug. 23. Requests for an informal hearing on the matter also may be submitted, and such a hearing will be scheduled if OSHA finds “substantial issues” are raised.