Does OSHA cover public schools and school systems?

At the Federal OSHA level, no. The term “employer” as it relates to OSHA is a person engaged in a business affecting commerce who has employees but does not include . . . any State or political subdivision of a State. Government entities do not meet the definition of an employer under the OSH Act. This means that they are not subject to OSHA’s federal regulation, inspection, or enforcement.

OSHA state plans vary from state to state: Some keep the Federal employer definition and do not include school systems. However, many states do cover public schools, depending on how employer is defined in the state statutes. Private schools are considered employers under the act and are subject to Federal OSHA jurisdiction, as are some charter schools, depending on their administrative structure and governance.