Funeral Home OSHA PPE Compliance by State: All 50 States
Short answer: Every private funeral home in the U.S. must meet OSHA PPE rules. In 22 states and territories a state OSHA plan enforces them, and it must be at least as effective as federal OSHA and can be stricter. In the rest, federal OSHA covers private employers. Your state funeral board adds its own prep room rules on top.
How state plans work
According to OSHA's State Plans page, states can run their own OSHA-approved programs. Some cover private and public employers, others cover only state and local government workers, and federal OSHA covers private employers there. State plans must be at least as effective as federal OSHA, and many adopt the federal standards word for word.
State-by-state table
| State or territory | OSHA coverage | Who enforces for a private funeral home |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Alaska | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Arizona | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Arkansas | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| California | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Colorado | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Connecticut | State plan for public employers only | Federal OSHA |
| Delaware | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| District of Columbia | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Florida | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Georgia | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Hawaii | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Idaho | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Illinois | State plan for public employers only | Federal OSHA |
| Indiana | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Iowa | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Kansas | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Kentucky | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Louisiana | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Maine | State plan for public employers only | Federal OSHA |
| Maryland | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Massachusetts | State plan for public employers only | Federal OSHA |
| Michigan | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Minnesota | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Mississippi | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Missouri | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Montana | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Nebraska | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Nevada | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| New Hampshire | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| New Jersey | State plan for public employers only | Federal OSHA |
| New Mexico | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| New York | State plan for public employers only | Federal OSHA |
| North Carolina | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| North Dakota | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Ohio | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Oklahoma | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Oregon | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Pennsylvania | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Puerto Rico | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Rhode Island | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| South Carolina | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| South Dakota | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Tennessee | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Texas | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | State plan for public employers only | Federal OSHA |
| Utah | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Vermont | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Virginia | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| Washington | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
| West Virginia | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Wisconsin | Federal OSHA | Federal OSHA |
| Wyoming | State plan (private and public employers) | State OSHA agency |
Coverage verified against OSHA State Plans. Plans can change, so confirm with your state agency.
California and other stricter states
California's Cal/OSHA enforces its own versions of the key standards in Title 8, including the bloodborne pathogens standard (§5193) and formaldehyde (§5217). Washington, Oregon, Michigan and Minnesota also maintain their own rule sets. If you operate in a state plan state, read the state version, not just the federal one.
Funeral board requirements
State funeral or embalming boards often require specific prep room items: impervious floors, ventilation, a sink, eyewash, and PPE on hand for every embalmer. Ask your board for its inspection checklist and keep it with your OSHA records.
What is the same everywhere
- A certified PPE hazard assessment.
- A bloodborne pathogens exposure control plan, PPE at no cost, hepatitis B vaccination offer and annual training.
- Formaldehyde limits of 0.75 ppm TWA and 2 ppm STEL federally, with protective clothing to prevent skin contact.
- A respiratory protection program when respirators are required.
See OSHA PPE requirements for embalmers for details.
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Build your PPE orderShop mortuary PPEFrequently asked questions
Does my state have its own OSHA?
22 states and territories run state plans that cover private employers, including California, Washington, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Seven cover public employers only. Federal OSHA covers private employers everywhere else.
Are state OSHA PPE rules stricter than federal?
They must be at least as effective as federal OSHA and can be stricter. California is the best known example.
Who inspects a funeral home prep room?
OSHA or the state OSHA plan for workplace safety, and the state funeral or embalming board for licensing and establishment rules.
Do the same PPE products meet every state requirement?
Generally yes. The garment requirements are performance based, so fluid-resistant coveralls, chemical gloves and eye protection meet the rules in every state when chosen through a hazard assessment.
Related PPE guides
- OSHA PPE Requirements for Embalmers
- Mass Fatality PPE Stockpile Guide
- How to Choose Disposable Coveralls for Embalming, Removals and Response
- COVID-19 and Infectious Disease Decedent Care
- OSHA PPE Levels A, B, C and D
- New Funeral Home PPE Checklist
- Prep Room PPE Problems and Solutions
- OSHA Formaldehyde Standard for Funeral Homes
- Mortuary PPE · Disposable coveralls · DuPont Tychem · Exam gloves by the case
