Texas Workplace Safety Requirements (2026)

Texas operates under Federal OSHA. There’s no state OSHA plan. Federal regulations (29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926) apply to all private sector workplaces in the state.

But don’t mistake “federal OSHA only” for “simple.” Texas has the largest construction market in the country, a massive oil and gas sector, and some of the highest demand for safety professionals anywhere. The state’s unique industry mix creates specific safety needs that you won’t find in most other states.

Federal OSHA in Texas

Since Texas doesn’t operate a state plan, federal OSHA has direct jurisdiction over private sector workplaces. This means:

• Federal OSHA standards apply as-is (no state-specific additions)
• Federal OSHA inspectors conduct inspections
• Federal penalty amounts apply
• There is no state OSHA coverage for state and local government employees (a key gap, since state plan states cover public sector workers)

Important: Texas state and local government workers are not covered by federal OSHA. This is a notable gap compared to state plan states where public sector workers get full OSHA protection. Texas partially addresses this through the Texas Hazard Communication Act and other state laws, but coverage is not equivalent to federal OSHA protections.

Training Requirements

Texas doesn’t add state-specific safety training mandates beyond what federal OSHA requires. The key federal training requirements that apply in Texas:

• Hazard Communication (GHS) Training on chemical hazards for all workers who may be exposed
• Fall Protection Training for construction workers exposed to fall hazards (29 CFR 1926.503)
• Confined Space Entry Training for permit-required confined space workers (29 CFR 1910.146)
• Lockout/Tagout Training for authorized and affected employees (29 CFR 1910.147)
• Forklift / Powered Industrial Trucks Operator training and evaluation every 3 years (29 CFR 1910.178)
• Respiratory Protection Fit testing and training annually (29 CFR 1910.134)
• HAZWOPER 40-hour training for hazardous waste workers, with annual 8-hour refresher

Texas does not require OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards by state law. However, virtually every major general contractor in Texas requires the OSHA 30 Construction card for supervisors and many require OSHA 10 for all workers.

Key Industries

Texas’s economy is enormous and diverse. The industries driving safety demand:

Oil and gas Texas produces more oil and natural gas than any other state. Upstream (drilling, extraction), midstream (pipelines, processing), and downstream (refining, petrochemical) operations all require extensive safety programs. HAZWOPER, process safety management (PSM), and H2S awareness training are common requirements. The Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, and Houston Ship Channel are major employment centers.

Construction Texas has the most construction activity of any state. Rapid population growth drives residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects across Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. High demand for safety officers and construction safety managers.

Petrochemical and refining The Gulf Coast from Houston to Beaumont is the largest concentration of refineries and chemical plants in the U.S. Process safety management, HAZWOPER, and emergency response expertise are critical.

Wind energy Texas leads the nation in wind energy production. Wind turbine technicians and construction workers need fall protection, electrical safety, and confined space training.

Manufacturing Growing manufacturing sector, especially in North Texas and the I-35 corridor. Automotive, aerospace, electronics, and food processing.

Logistics and warehousing Major distribution hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Forklift certification and warehouse safety training in high demand.

Safety Professional Salary in Texas

Texas is one of the best states for safety professionals when you combine salary, job availability, and cost of living.

Level	Salary Range
Entry-level	$55,000 - $65,000
Mid-career	$65,000 - $85,000
Experienced	$85,000 - $110,000
Senior / Director	$110,000 - $150,000+

Mean annual salary: $85,000+ (BLS OEWS, SOC 29-9011).

Houston metro area is the highest-paying market in the state at $92,000+, driven by oil and gas and petrochemical industries.

No state income tax. Texas has no personal income tax, which effectively gives you 5-10% more take-home pay compared to states like California (up to 13.3%) or New York (up to 10.9%). For more: Safety Salary by State

Texas-Specific Considerations

Texas Hazard Communication Act While largely aligned with federal OSHA’s GHS standard, Texas has its own Hazard Communication Act administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services. It covers workers not protected by federal OSHA, including some state and local government employees.

Workers’ Compensation Texas is unique in that workers’ compensation insurance is optional for employers (except for certain public contracts). This means some Texas employers are “non-subscribers” and don’t carry workers’ comp. This affects safety culture at some smaller companies, though most large employers carry coverage.

Right-to-Work State Texas is a right-to-work state, which affects union presence on construction sites. Safety training requirements on union vs. non-union projects can differ. Union projects in Texas typically require OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 for all workers.

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Handles licensing for several trades that overlap with safety, including boiler inspectors, electricians, and asbestos/lead professionals.

Asbestos and Lead Texas requires licensing through TDLR for asbestos-related work. The Texas Department of State Health Services handles lead abatement licensing.

Enforcement

Federal OSHA conducts inspections in Texas through its regional and area offices. Texas has OSHA offices in:

• Dallas
• Houston (multiple offices)
• Austin
• San Antonio
• Fort Worth
• Lubbock
• El Paso
• Corpus Christi

OSHA’s emphasis programs in Texas frequently focus on:

• Fall protection in construction
• Trenching and excavation
• Oil and gas well drilling and servicing
• Process safety management at refineries and chemical plants
• Heat illness prevention (federal emphasis program)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Texas have its own OSHA? No. Texas operates under Federal OSHA. There is no state OSHA plan. Federal regulations and federal inspectors apply to all private sector workplaces in the state.

Do I need OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 in Texas? Texas has no state law requiring OSHA cards. But most general contractors, especially on commercial and industrial projects, require OSHA 10 for workers and OSHA 30 for supervisors. If you work in Texas construction, you’ll almost certainly need one or both.

Is Texas good for safety careers? Excellent. Texas has the highest construction activity in the nation, a massive oil and gas sector, and rapidly growing manufacturing and logistics industries. Safety salaries are strong ($85,000+ average), and the lack of state income tax means you keep more of your paycheck. Houston is one of the top-paying cities for safety professionals.

Are state and local government workers covered by OSHA in Texas? Not directly. Since Texas doesn’t have a state OSHA plan, federal OSHA can’t cover state and local government workers. Some protection exists through the Texas Hazard Communication Act and other state laws, but it’s not equivalent to full OSHA coverage.