OSHA By: Dakota Lashuay

What does OSHA stand for? OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

When was it created and what does it do? OSHA was created in It helps prevent workers from being killed or harmed at work. Enforces a healthy and safe workplace.

Workers’ Rights File a confidential complaint with OSHA to have the workplace inspected. Receive information and training about hazards. Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses. Review copies of the results of tests and monitoring of hazards. Get copies of their workplace medical records. Participate in OSHA inspection. File a complaint with OSHA. File a complaint if punished or discriminated.

Employer Responsibilities Employers must provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and must follow all OSHA safety and health standards. Make feasible changes in working conditions. Inform employees about hazards. Train employees. Keep accurate records. Perform tests in a workplace. Provide hearing exams.

Who does OSHA cover? Private Sector Workers State and Local Government Workers Federal Government Workers

Who is not covered under the OSHA Act? Self employed Immediate family members or farm employers. Workplace hazards regulated by another federal agency.

Right To A Safe and Healthful Workplace Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthful workplace that is free from serious recognized hazards. Provide fall protection. Prevent trenching cave-ins. Ensure the safety of workers who enter confined spaces such as manholes or grain bins. Prevent exposure to high levels of noise that can damage hearing. Put guards on machines Prevent exposure.

Rights For Employees Right To Know Your Laws and Rights. Right to Get Copies of Workplace Injury and Illness Records. Right to Exposure Data. Right to Medical Records.

OSHA Worksite Investigation Inspections are initiated without advance notice. They look for imminent danger, a fatality or hospitalizations, worker complaints or referrals, particular hazards, high injury rate, and they include a follow-up inspections.

Three Ways To Contact OSHA Mail or submit the OSHA complaint form Go to their website online. Use a telephone and call an OSHA office.

Right of Workers during an Inspection Go along on the inspection. Talk privately. Take part in meetings before and after inspections. Point out hazards. Describe injuries or illnesses that have happened.

Whistl e blower Protection An employer cannot retaliate by taking “adverse action” against workers such as, Firing or laying off. Blacklisting Demoting. Denying overtime or promotion. Disciplining.

More Resources and Information Quick Takes is OSHA’s newsletter. OSHA provides free assistance to small employers. Which is fewer than 250 workers.