Principles of Business 4.01 – Adhere to health and safety regulations to support a safe work environment.

Key Terms Key Term Definition Accident An unexpected happening that may result in injury, loss, or damage. Compliance Fulfilling the requirements of the law. Hazard Potential events or situations that can cause injury or harm to people, property, or the environment Health The state of being free from illness or injury. Imminent Danger Any conditions or practices in any place of employment which are such that a danger exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the imminence of such danger can be eliminated through the enforcement procedures otherwise provided by OSHA.

Key Terms Key Terms Definition Noncompliance Failure to act in accordance with a wish or command. Occupational Health A multi-disciplinary approach to developing and ensuring compliance with safe working practices, and maintaining the health and well-being of those employed in a particular occupation or workplace. OSHA- Occupational Safe and Health Agency A federal government agency that writes and enforces safety and health standards for businesses. Outcome The way a thing turns out; a consequence; a result. Risk The possibility of loss (failure) or gain (success). Safety Freedom from danger, risk, or injury.

Health and Safety Regulations in Business

Reasons for Health & Safety Regulations in Business Provide a safe and healthy work environment for all employees and customers. To protect workers from being forced to complete unnecessary dangerous activities. Educate workers on ways to prevent illness and/or injury on the job. Unhealthy, unsafe, and stressful workplaces can cost employers large amounts of money in workers’ compensation, absenteeism, disability, and high employee turnover. Safe and healthy employees = happy and productive employees.

Types of Hazards The many kinds of workplace hazards are divided into three categories: 1. Physical – Hazards due to a transfer of energy between an object and a worker. Examples: Heights; a hot oven; big, heavy machines. 2. Chemical – Hazards due to contact with chemicals. Examples: Cleaners, pesticides, fertilizers. 3. Biological – Hazards due to contact with living organisms or their by-products. Examples: Molds, bacteria, HIV, grain dust. These categories are not mutually exclusive; they are important only in that they give structure to a broad topic. Hazards may cause both temporary and permanent injuries and illnesses. Some hazards will create an injury or illness right away. Other hazards may not cause an injury or illness until much later in life. For this reason, workers should take all hazards seriously, even if they do not experience problems right away.

Pathways of Exposure Physical Hazards Energy is transferred to a worker in a variety of ways: Heat (burns) Falling Objects Falling from Heights

Pathways of Exposure Biological and Chemical Hazards Workers are exposed to these hazards by the following means: Inhalation (breathing in) Absorption (passing through skin) Entrance through cuts or abrasions Ingestion (swallowing)

A Body’s Response to Hazards Temporary Vs. Permanent illnesses and Injuries Immediate vs. later in life illnesses and Injuries Temporary Examples Permanent Examples Small cuts Losing a finger Bruises Losing eyesight Strains Developing work-related asthma Sunburns Immediate Examples Later in Life Examples Cutting finger Gradual loss of hearing over time. Break arm Carpel tunnel Small burn Back problems caused by repeated lifting. Sprained ankle Cancer or lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals

Hazard Recognition Group Activity 1. Divide into groups of 2-3 students. 2. Your group will be assigned a Hazard Recognition Visual Card to study. 3. Use the See it, Think it, Do it strategy to brainstorm ideas and answers to the questions found in the chart given on the first page. 4. Complete the questions on the second page of the handout in reference to your visual card. 5. Each group will present their findings to the class. Explain the 3 step strategy on the handout. Demonstrate to the class what is expected of each group by using one visual aid given.

OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work. The law requires employers to provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers. OSHA sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards. OSHA provides information, training, and assistance to workers and employers. Workers may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect their workplace if they believe that their employer is not following OSHA standards or that there are serious hazards. OSHA hyperlink on picture. Open hyperlink to show students where to go to look up laws and regulations.

OSHA – Workers’ Rights Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe workplace. Your employer must provide a workplace free of known health and safety hazards. If you have concerns, you have the right to speak up about them without fear of retaliation. You also have the right to: Be trained in a language you understand Work on machines that are safe Be provided required safety gear, such as gloves or a harness and lifeline for falls Be protected from toxic chemicals Request an OSHA inspection, and speak to the inspector Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records See copies of the workplace injury and illness log Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace

OSHA – Who is Covered? Private Sector Workers – OSHA covers most private sector employers and workers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other U.S. jurisdictions either directly through Federal OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state plan. State-run health and safety programs must be at least as effective as the Federal OSHA program. State and Local Government Workers – Employees who work for state and local governments are NOT covered by Federal OSHA, but have OSH Act protections if they work in a state that has an OSHA-approved state program. Federal Government Workers – OSHA's protection applies to all federal agencies. Federal agencies must have a safety and health program that meet the same standards as private employers.

OSHA – Who is Not Covered? Self-employed Immediate family members of farm employers that do not employ outside employees Workplace Hazards regulated by another Federal agency (for example, the Mine Safety and Heath Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Coast Guard).

Employer Responsibilities Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow all relevant OSHA safety and health standards. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. Employers must try to eliminate or reduce hazards first by making changes in working conditions rather than just relying on masks, gloves, ear plugs, or other types of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Employer Responsibilities (cont.) Inform employees about hazards through training, labels, alarms, color-coded systems, chemical information sheets, and other methods. Keep accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses. Perform tests in the workplace, such as air sampling required by some OSHA standards. Provide hearing exams or other medical tests required by OSHA standards. Post OSHA citations, injury and illness data, and the OSHA poster in the workplace where workers will see them. Notify OSHA of all work-related fatalities within 8 hours, and all work-related inpatient hospitalizations, all amputations and all losses of an eye within 24 hours. Not discriminate or retaliate against a worker for using their rights under the law.

Employee Duties Safety Training – Employees have a duty and the right to obtain occupational safety training from his/her employer. Filing Complaints – When a violation of occupational safety and health laws is suspected, an employee must file a formal complaint with OSHA. Investigation Participation – When an OSHA compliance officer investigates a workplace, it is imperative for an employee representative, such as a union representative, to accompany him on the facility tour, or that a group of workers be consulted. The rep CANNOT be chosen by the employer. The rep must inform the officer of all suspected hazards, as well as any accidents or injuries that have occurred.

Rights and Responsibilities T-Chart Go to www.OSHA.gov. Use the website and this powerpoint to complete Rights and Responsibilities T-Chart. Must be completed individually.

Filing Complaints with OSHA Complaint Filing Options: Online - Go to OSHA.gov to submit an Online Complaint Form. Download and Fax/Mail – Download the OSHA complaint form, complete it and then fax or mail it back to your local OSHA regional or area office. (Written complaints that are signed by a worker or representative and submitted to the closest OSHA Area Office are more likely to result in onsite OSHA inspections.) Telephone – If there is an emergency or the hazard is immediately life- threatening, call your local OSHA Regional or Area Office or 1-800-321-OSHA.

Filing Complaints with OSHA When can a complaint be filed? OSHA recommends that employees try to resolve safety and health issues first by reporting them to their supervisors, managers, or the safety and health committee. At any time, however, employees can complain to their local OSHA Area Office and ask for an inspection or an investigation. *NOTE: Discrimination complaints must be filed within 30 days of the alleged discrimination.

OSHA Complaint Handling Process

1. Evaluating Employee Complaints OSHA evaluated each complaint to determine how it can be best handled – an offsite or an onsite inspection. At least one of the following eight criteria must be met for OSHA to conduct an onsite inspection: A written, signed complaint by a current employee or employee representative with enough detail to enable OSHA to determine that a violation or danger likely exists that threatens physical harm or that an imminent danger exists. An allegation that physical harm has occurred as a result of the hazard and that it still exists. A report of an imminent danger. A complaint about a company in an industry covered by one of OSHA's local or national emphasis programs or a hazard targeted by one of these programs. Inadequate response from an employer who has received information on the hazard through a phone/fax investigation. A complaint against an employer with a past history of egregious, willful or failure to abate OSHA citations within the past three years. Referral from a whistle blower investigator. Complaint at a facility scheduled for or already undergoing an OSHA inspection.

2. Inspection Priorities 1st Priority – Imminent danger complaint. 2nd Priority – Any facility or catastrophe – an accident that requires hospitalization of 3 or more workers. (Employers are required to report fatalities and catastrophes to OSHA within 8 hours.) 3rd Priority – Employee complaints and referrals.

3. Keeping Workers Informed After OSHA conducts an inspection or investigation, the agency sends a letter to the worker who filed the complaint outlining the findings, including citations and proposed penalties.