Ohio Department of Commerce Highlights Role to Ensure Ohioans’ Safety During Building Safety Month

COLUMBUS, Ohio - May marks the International Code Council's Building Safety Month, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the critical role building safety professionals play in protecting communities. In recognition of the month, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance is highlighting the role it plays in ensuring buildings across Ohio are safe, secure and up to code.

The Division performs a wide range of essential duties to protect Ohioans. From inspecting structures to ensuring professional integrity, the following are some of the many roles the Division plays to ensure safety:

• Conducting inspections of commercial and public buildings to ensure compliance with state and national codes.
• Enforcing building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical codes through rigorous oversight.
• Reviewing and approving building plans prior to construction.
• Performing regular inspections of elevators and boilers to identify and prevent mechanical hazards.
• Partnering with local governments to provide guidance on safety compliance.
• Investigating complaints to ensure contractors and professionals meet established standards.
• Collaborating with architects, engineers and contractors to uphold safety benchmarks in new construction.
• Managing licenses for contractors in multiple trades.
• Updating residential building codes to reflect the latest safety practices.

"When people walk into a building, they don't always think about the level of expertise and care that has gone into making that building safe for those who work, live and visit it," Division Superintendent Robb Coventry said. "Building safety is more than a priority for us, it's the core of our mission."

The Division also works closely with its boards to establish and maintain rigorous safety measures, including the Backflow Advisory Board, Board of Building Appeals, Board of Building Standards, Elevator Safety Review Board, Historical Boilers Licensing Board, and the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. These boards play a critical role in ensuring that codes and licensing procedures remain current with industry advancements, promoting safety, transparency and trust statewide.

In July, rules approved by BBS will take effect to streamline and enhance professional building code enforcement throughout the state. The new rules remove barriers for inspectors to become certified and allow for a more efficient certification process and will permit certified personnel to receive cross-training, education and supervision in other areas to obtain skills required to inspect an entire building. Additional details on these changes can be found on the BBS's official 2025 Certification Rules page.

Building Safety Month serves as an opportunity to not only educate the public on the impact of these efforts, but also to highlight the commitment of the Division. By ensuring that every building is constructed and maintained with safety in mind, the Division is helping to create a safe and secure environment for all Ohioans.