RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s commitment to workplace safety has earned recognition from federal regulators, as the state’s Department of Labor received high marks in the latest federal oversight report.
Labor Commissioner Luke Farley announced that the FY 2024 OSHA Federal Annual Monitoring Evaluation (FAME) Report praised the N.C. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Division for its comprehensive approach to protecting workers across diverse industries, from construction sites to healthcare facilities.
Significant Safety Improvements Documented
The federal evaluation highlighted several key achievements that demonstrate North Carolina’s progress in workplace safety:
Fatality Reduction: The state recorded a dramatic 33% decrease in workplace fatalities, dropping from 72 deaths in the previous reporting period to 48 fatalities in FY 2024.
Below-National-Average Injury Rates: North Carolina’s workplace injury and illness rates came in 19% below the national private-sector average, indicating the effectiveness of the state’s safety programs.
Inspection Performance: The department completed 1,675 workplace inspections, achieving 98.5% of its target goal and demonstrating consistent regulatory oversight.
Enforcement Success and Innovation
The FAME report also recognized the state’s enforcement effectiveness, noting a penalty retention rate of 84.44% — significantly above the national average. This metric indicates that penalties issued by state inspectors are being upheld at a higher rate than in most other jurisdictions.
The evaluation praised North Carolina’s proactive approach to emerging workplace hazards, particularly highlighting the new Heat Illness Prevention Campaign. This initiative included bilingual outreach materials and resulted in 190 specialized inspections focused on heat-related workplace risks.
State Plan Status Reinforced
“This report reflects the dedication of our OSH staff across the state to keep North Carolina workers safe,” Commissioner Farley said. “North Carolina remains one of just 22 states with an OSHA-approved State Plan. This recognition affirms our continued commitment to worker safety and validates the department’s common-sense approach to regulation.”
The OSHA-approved State Plan designation allows North Carolina to operate its own occupational safety and health program while maintaining federal oversight and funding. States with this designation must meet or exceed federal OSHA standards.
Comprehensive Approach to Worker Protection
The federal evaluation recognized the department’s multi-faceted strategy that combines strong enforcement with proactive outreach and data-driven program improvements. This approach has enabled the state to address workplace safety challenges across North Carolina’s diverse economic sectors.
The complete FAME report is available through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s North Carolina FAME Reports portal, providing detailed analysis of the state’s performance across all evaluated categories.
The positive federal assessment positions North Carolina as a leader in state-level workplace safety programs and reinforces the effectiveness of the Department of Labor’s current regulatory approach.
