Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Any public employee or public employee representative may contact the Office of Public Employees' Occupational Safety and Health (OPEOSH) with any safety or health issues/concerns—including COVID-19 specific health and safety concerns.

OPEOSH covers all state and local government workers, which includes public boards, commissions, authorities, agencies, departments, and divisions at the state, county, and local levels. OPEOSH also covers volunteer fire, rescue, medical, and law enforcement personnel affiliated with or providing service to any municipal, county, or state coverage area within its jurisdiction. OPEOSH does not cover federal government workers. Federal government workers, including those employed by the United States Postal Service and civilian workers on military bases, are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Public employees or public employee representatives may remain confidential if requested; the identity and other personally identifiable information of employees and cooperating witnesses are protected from disclosure to employers and others, with limited exceptions. For more information, click here.

Public Employees can file a health and safety complaint, including a COVID-19 specific complaint, using this form. Forms can be submitted by email to peosha@dol.nj.gov.

Any public employee who believes they have been discriminated against as a result of reporting a safety or health issue/concern may file a discrimination form with this office. Forms can be submitted by email to peosha@dol.nj.gov.

Employees of privately-owned companies, as well as Federal government workers, seeking to file a workplace health and safety complaint should contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

OSHA exercises authority over private sector employers throughout the state, and federal OSHA standards apply to these workers. The private sector includes businesses, charities, and contractors that do work for public entities, trade unions, partnerships, corporations, and all entities who employ individuals who do not receive a paycheck from a government agency. Federal government workers, including those employed by the United States Postal Service and civilian workers on military bases, are also covered by OSHA.