Maryland OSHA state plan — MOSH jurisdiction and coverage
Maryland operates an OSHA-approved state plan, the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) program, administered by the Division of Labor and Industry. MOSH received initial federal approval on July 5, 1973, and final approval on July 18, 1985. The state plan covers most private sector workplaces in Maryland and all state and local government employers. MOSH standards must be at least as effective as federal OSHA. Federal OSHA retains jurisdiction over maritime employment (shipyard, marine terminals, longshoring), contract workers in U.S. Postal Service mail operations, aircraft cabin crewmembers, and federal government employers. As of April 27, 2026, federal OSHA also covers private-sector employment on federal property or land leased by the federal government where federal employees are regularly present.
Source: Maryland State Plan | OSHA
Severe injury and fatality reporting — MOSH notification deadlines
Maryland MOSH requires employers to report workplace fatalities and certain severe injuries directly to the agency within tight deadlines. These reporting obligations are distinct from the routine injury and illness recordkeeping requirements. MOSH has adopted the federal recordkeeping and reporting framework under COMAR 09.12.21, which incorporates 29 C.F.R. § 1904 by reference. The severe-injury and fatality reporting requirements in 29 C.F.R. § 1904.39 therefore apply to Maryland employers under MOSH jurisdiction.
Fatality reporting. All employers covered by MOSH must notify the agency when an employee is killed on the job. The fatality must be reported within 8 hours of the death or the employer becoming aware of a work-related death.
Hospitalization of three or more workers. If a single work-related incident results in the inpatient hospitalization of three or more employees, MOSH must be notified within 8 hours.
Amputation, eye loss, and single-worker hospitalization. An employer must report within 24 hours if a work-related incident causes an in-patient hospitalization, an amputation, or an eye loss. Under the federal standard incorporated by MOSH, an amputation is the traumatic loss of a limb or other external body part where bone or cartilage is lost. Eye loss means the physical removal of the eye or permanent loss of sight in the eye.
Reporting mechanism. As of May 2026, MOSH instructs employers to report during normal business hours by calling 410-527-4499. After hours, weekends, and holidays, employers must call the 24-hour hotline at 1-888-257-6674. These phone lines are the primary reporting channel for incidents under MOSH jurisdiction.
These reporting deadlines apply to all covered employers, including those with fewer than 11 employees who are otherwise exempt from routine OSHA recordkeeping under the partial exemption in 29 C.F.R. § 1904.1. A work-related fatality, hospitalization of three or more workers, in-patient hospitalization of one worker, amputation involving bone or cartilage loss, or eye loss must be reported to MOSH even if the employer does not maintain an OSHA 300 Log.
MOSH has adopted 29 C.F.R. § 1904 through COMAR 09.12.21 Employee Injury and Illness Records and Reports. The most recent adoption action referenced on the MOSH website occurred in April 2002, with subsequent updates; in March 2026, the Division of Labor and Industry proposed amendments to require all public bodies to comply with the 29 C.F.R. § 1904 recording and reporting requirements regardless of size or industry, pursuant to the Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act of 2025 (SB 26/HB 176). The severe-injury and fatality reporting obligations described above apply immediately to all private-sector and state/local government employers within MOSH coverage.
Source: Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) — Division of Labor and Industry