OSHA Grabs Reins at Nuclear Labs: Safety Handoff from DOE
Published Date: 4/17/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting April 17, 2026, OSHA is taking over safety and health rules at some privatized facilities at four big DOE sites: Idaho National Lab, Hanford, Nevada National Security Site, and Savannah River. This update shifts who’s in charge from DOE to OSHA and state agencies, making sure workers stay safe under clear, updated rules. No big money changes, just a smoother safety handoff to keep things running safely and smartly.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
OSHA Takes Over Idaho Parcels
Starting April 17, 2026, OSHA will regulate occupational safety and health for private‑sector employers and employees working on the identified Project Parcels at the Idaho National Laboratory site in Idaho Falls for the duration of the applicable DOE long‑term realty agreement(s). The parcels are described by township and range (e.g., T6N, R33E Section 16 and others) and DOE requested OSHA assume jurisdiction.
State Plans Assume Authority in WA, NV, SC
Effective April 17, 2026, the OSHA‑approved State Plans are assuming and maintaining occupational safety and health authority over the identified Project Parcels at the Hanford Site (Washington), the Nevada National Security Site (Nevada), and the Savannah River Site (South Carolina) for the duration of the applicable DOE long‑term realty agreement(s). The named State Plans are DOSH (WA), Nevada OSHA (NV), and SC OSHA (SC).
Radiation Threshold for OSHA Jurisdiction
For each Project Parcel listed, DOE states it does not expect residual radiological dose to workers to be 25 millirems per year (mrem/yr) or more above background; under the 2000 MOU OSHA assumes jurisdiction where exposures are not likely to meet or exceed 25 mrem/yr. DOE also will continue radiological activities under DOE Order 458.1 public dose limits for activities remaining under DOE control.
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