Infectious diseases - Hawaii

Hawaii incorporates by reference most of the July 1, 2017, edition of the federal OSHA general industry requirements, with some amendments. Currently, Hawaii has no comprehensive infectious diseases standard for general industry, except for the Bloodborne Pathogens standard that is incorporated by reference. See the Citations section below to learn about federal OSHA regulations “related” to protecting employees from infectious diseases.

Because infectious diseases are related to “health” hazards, Hawaii’s requirement to maintain a written safety and health program per HAR 12-60-2 is related. Federal OSHA does not require a safety and health program, so this state requirement is more stringent than federal.

Hawaii also has a requirement that is equivalent to federal OSHA's General Duty Clause for providing a safe and healthy workplace, free from recognized, serious hazards, but the state adds further requirements. Hawaii may use these requirements for enforcement of wildfire-related hazards. A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• Furnish a safe workplace.
• Keep recognized hazards out of the workplace.
• Do not allow an employee to work where hazards may cause death or serious physical harm.
• Do not allow an employee to work where HIOSH rules are not met, unless abating a hazard.
• Provide safeguards and methods to keep the workplace safe.
• Do not construct or keep an unsafe workplace.
• Make required reports.
• Keep required records and make them available to HIOSH as necessary.
• Prominently post HIOSH-provided posters and information, along with notices about employee obligations and rights.

Note that Hawaii’s Emergency Temporary Standard at HAR 12-60-51, was in effect from July 25,2021, to January 25, 2022. It had adopted with amendments the federal OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910 Subpart U, COVID-19. Unlike federal OSHA, it does not appear that Hawaii has kept requirements to establish, maintain, and provide copies of a COVID-19 log under 29 CFR 1910.502(q)(2)(ii) and (q)(3)(ii) to (iv) or to report COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations under 29 CFR 1910.502(r). (However, federal OSHA has said in a February 5, 2025, enforcement memo that the federal agency will not enforce those COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements under 1910.502.)