HR and Workplace Safety: New Jersey

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author: John Sarno, Employer's Association of New Jersey

Summary

• Private sector employers in New Jersey are under the jurisdiction of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). See Federal OSHA.
• The New Jersey Public Employees' Occupational Safety and Health Act (NJOSH Act) provides for the development and enforcement of occupational safety standards for public employers throughout the state. The law applies to public employers and has incorporated most of the regulations under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. See NJOSH Act.
• The procedural requirements and protections under federal and state law are substantially similar, but the state law is administered and enforced by the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The Department provides free safety and health training programs to both private and public sector employers. See NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
• Employees have 180 days from the time that a violation occurs to bring a claim against the employer for violating the employee's right to tell the Department about a health or safety violation. See Discrimination and Retaliation Prohibited.
• Under the New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act, employers must disclose to employees information about hazardous substances. See Worker and Community Right to Know Act.
• Employees have two years from the discovery of an occupational illness to bring a lawsuit. See Statute of Limitations for Toxic Chemicals.
• Hotels are required to provide a panic device to each hotel employee assigned to work in a guest room without any other employees present. See Panic Buttons for Hotel Workers.
• New Jersey prohibits talking on a handheld cell phone or texting while driving. See Driving Policies.