Osha Workplace Safety MEGAN GOHEEN

Introduction  Prevents workers from being killed or harmed at work  Provides their employees with conditions that are danger free  Sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards  Also provides information, training and assistance to employers and workers

Worker’s Rights  Right to safe and healthful working conditions  Right to  File a confidential complaint  Receive information and training about hazards  Review work-related injuries  Receive results from tests and monitoring  Get copies of workplace medical records  Participate in OSHA inspection

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  Protective equipment  Masks  Gloves  earplugs

Employer Responsibilities  Inform employees about hazards  Train in a language employees can understand  Keep accurate records  Perform tests in the workplace  Provide hearing exams  Post OSHA citations where workers can see them  Notify OSHA within 8 hours  Display the official OSHA poster

Who Does OSHA Cover  Private Sector Workers  All 50 states  State and Local Government Workers  Federal Government Workers  NOT Covered under the OSHA Act  Self-employed  Immediate family members of farm employees  Workplace hazards regulated by another federal agency

OSHA Standards: Protection on the Job  General industry is the set that applies to the largest number of workers and worksites  OSHA standards include requirements to  Provide fall protection  Prevent trenching cave-ins  Ensure the safety of workers who enter confined spaces  Prevent exposure to high levels of noise  Put guards on machines  Prevent exposure to harmful levels of asbestos and lead  Provide workers with respirators

OSHA Standards: Protection on the Job  OSHA standards include requirements to  Provide workers effective information and training  Current list of hazardous chemicals  Hazardous chemicals are properly labeled  Available to workers and representatives Material Safety Data Sheets  Provide detailed information

OSHA Worksite Investigations  Inspections are initiated without advance notice  Worksite inspections are based on  Imminent danger  A fatality or hospitalizations  Worker complaints and referral  Targeted inspections  Follow-up inspections

Right to File a Complaint to Request On-site Inspection  Notify your supervisor  Workers and their representatives have right to ask for an inspection without OSHA telling their employer who filed the complaint  How to file a complaint  Mail or submit the OSHA Complaint Form  Must include name, address and phone number  Online   Telephone  OSHA(6742)

Who Else Can File a Complaint  Employee rep.  An authorized rep. of the employee bargaining unit  An attorney acting for an employee  Any other person acting in a bona fide rep.

Rights of Workers during an Inspection  Rep. of employees go along on the inspection  Talk privately with the inspector  Take part in meetings with the inspector before and after the inspection

Workers are Encouraged to  Point out hazards  Describe injuries or illnesses that resulted from these hazards  Discuss past worker complaints about hazards  Inform the inspector of working conditions that are not normal during the inspection

Workers’ Rights following Issuance of Citations  Workers may only contest the amount of time the employer is given to correct the hazard  Must file notice within 15 days of the issuance of a citation  Employers have the right to challenge  Whether there is a violation  How the violation is classified  The amount of any penalty  What the employer must do to correct the violation  How long they have to fix it

Whistleblower Protection  Employer cannot retaliate by taking “adverse action” against workers such as  Blacklisting  Demoting  Denying overtime or promotion  Disciplining  Denying benefits  Failing to hire or rehire  Intimidation  Making threats

If There is a Dangerous Situation at Work  Bring the conditions to your employer’s attention, if possible  If condition clearly presents a risk of death or serious physical harm, there is not sufficient time for OSHA to inspect  A legal right to refuse to work in a situation in which you would be exposed to the hazard

OSHA Consultation Service for Small Employers  Free assistance to small employers  250 workers at a single workplace and no more than 500 employees nationwide

NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation: Getting Help on Health Hazards  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts scientific and medical research on workers’ safety and health