Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) – NJ Dept. of Health – Trenton, NJ

PEOSH Program Overview

The Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) program is a state regulatory agency managed jointly by the New Jersey Department of Health and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Located at 135 East State Street in the Health and Agriculture Building, the Department of Health’s component of PEOSH is specifically responsible for investigating and enforcing health hazards in public workplaces. While federal OSHA covers private sector employees, PEOSH ensures that New Jersey’s public servants—including school staff, police, firefighters, and municipal workers—have safe and healthful working conditions.

Key Responsibilities and Services

The PEOSH program operates with the authority to inspect workplaces and order the correction of health violations. Its primary functions include:

• Complaint Investigations: Public employees can file confidential complaints regarding potential health hazards, such as chemical exposures, biological risks, or noise levels. PEOSH officers conduct site visits to verify conditions.
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): The agency enforces the New Jersey Indoor Air Quality Standard, addressing issues like mold, ventilation, and temperature control in public buildings and schools.
• Asbestos and Lead Management: Monitors compliance with safety standards regarding the handling and disturbance of asbestos and lead in public facilities.
• Disease Prevention: Works to prevent work-related illnesses through education, training, and the enforcement of sanitation and infection control standards.

Jurisdiction

It is important to understand who this agency serves. PEOSH has jurisdiction over state, county, and municipal government agencies, as well as public school districts and volunteer fire/rescue squads. Private sector employees (businesses, factories, retail) fall under federal OSHA jurisdiction and should not contact this office for workplace complaints.

Visiting the Office

The office is situated in downtown Trenton within the secure Health and Agriculture government complex. Visitors generally do not come to this office for medical treatment; it is an administrative and enforcement hub. Access requires passing through security screening, and a valid government ID is necessary. Most interactions with the public occur via phone, email, or field inspections rather than walk-in visits.