Safety FAQ

Which state agency regulates public employers?

Who are public employers in the State of New Hampshire?

Does an employer have to keep the workplace in good condition?

As a public employee, does my employer have to have drinking water available?

As a public employee, does my employer have to provide toilet facilities at my place of employment?

Do I count part-time employees as part of my total workforce?

Do I have to send a copy of our safety program to the Department of Labor?

Do I have to send the Safety Summary Form in every year?

How do I get a copy of the Safety Summary Form?

Some of the machines where I work are old and dangerous. My boss says to be quiet and use them anyway. Is this illegal?

What do I do if I am a seasonal business and I do not know who will be on the Safety committee until I hire them in the summer?

What do I do if I don't use subcontractors as asked for on Question #7 of the Safety Summary Form?

Which state agency regulates public employers?

The New Hampshire Department of Labor regulates all public employers per the New Hampshire Administrative Rules Chapter LAB 1400 Safety & Health of Employees pursuant RSA 281-A & RSA 277.

Who are public employers in the State of New Hampshire?

Employer means the state or any of its political subdivisions operating a place of employment (RSA 277:1-b,II).

Does an employer have to keep the workplace in good condition?

Yes. New Hampshire Administrative Rules Chapter LAB 1403.01 Safety & Health Requirements

As a public employee, does my employer have to have drinking water available?

Yes. New Hampshire Administrative Rules Chapter LAB 1403.62 Washing Facilities.

As a public employee, does my employer have to provide toilet facilities at my place of employment?

Yes, every employer shall provide and maintain reasonable and proper toilet facilities and reasonably sanitary and hygienic conditions for employees, pursuant to RSA 277:10.

Do I count part-time employees as part of my total workforce?

Yes, all employees, including part time and seasonal, are to be counted as part of your company's total workforce.

Do I have to send a copy of our safety program to the Department of Labor?

No, you must update your Safety Program at least every two years but you are not required to send a copy to the Department of Labor.

Do I have to send the Safety Summary Form in every year?

No. Effective January 1, 2013, the law was changed to require employers to file this form just one time. If you filed in 2011, 2012 or thereafter, you do not need to file again. Previously, employers were required to file this form every other year (biennially) on or before January 1st.

How do I get a copy of the Safety Summary Form?

Either call and request a form from the Department of Labor or download the Safety Summary Form from our web site.

Some of the machines where I work are old and dangerous. My boss says to be quiet and use them anyway. Is this illegal?

Yes. New Hampshire Administrative Rules Chapter LAB 1403.01(d).

What do I do if I am a seasonal business and I do not know who will be on the Safety committee until I hire them in the summer?

File the form by the required date and note that the names of the committee members will be sent in after they are hired.

What do I do if I don't use subcontractors as asked for on Question #7 of the Safety Summary Form?

We need to know that if you should hire an outside service provider or contractor that someone in the company will be responsible for determining that any work being provided, or materials being used by these people will not affect the safety and health of the employees working in the facility.