OSHA Requirements for Posting in Iowa

The U.S. Occupational and Safety and Health Act also known as OSHA requires all employers in Iowa to post specific information regarding safety and welfare in the workplace. OSHA may conduct on-site inspections. The inspections are completed by the Iowa Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health. Businesses with more than one employee must abide by OSHA regulations. Types of businesses that fall under the guidelines in Iowa include manufacturing, farming operations, railroads and health-care organizations.

Significance

• OSHA-posted guidelines explain all rights of employees and responsibilities of the employer. Posting OSHA regulations to employees demonstrates the organization's willingness to openly secure a safe environment for its workers. Iowa employers should consistently train and implement written safety plans in accordance with the posted information. Posted information offers the promise of a safe environment for all workers. A company can ensure this rule by keeping a clean environment, clean and functional tools, reporting all accidents and providing health-care options to employees such as physicals. According to OSHA, Region VII, which includes Iowa, reported more than 20 workplace deaths a year from 1998 to 2009.

Facts

• Iowa employers must post employee rights under OSHA guidelines. According to Iowa Workforce Development, OSHA identifies five main employee rights: Employees cannot be retaliated against because of an OSHA-based complaint;

  A unanimous complaint can be filed against the workplace to OSHA;

  Employees have access to information regarding medical records and exposures;

  All requirements, rules and regulations under OSHA are available for employee review.; and

  Employees reserve the right to request an inspection by OSHA if hazards are suspected.

  OSHA requires the posting of the employer's obligations in the workplace as well as employee rights. The employer obligations include: Describing OSHA standards to employees;

  Displaying an OSHA poster;

  Providing a hazard-free workplace;

  Informing employees of the availability of medical records; and

  Creating a written hazard-communication program for the workplace.

  Businesses can review OSHA regulations by contacting the Iowa Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health or an Iowa Workforce Development office.

Considerations

• Employers should present OSHA information in a format that is understandable to all employees. Guidelines need to be clear for workers with disabilities or for those who do not speak English. According to the State Data Center of Iowa, in 2000, nearly 80,000 state residents spoke Spanish and more than 17,000 spoke German. Modifications to the posted information for disabled or non-English-speaking workers demonstrates that the organization cares for the safety of all its employees. Employers should encourage employees to take active roles in identifying hazards on a daily basis. Involving employees in sustaining a safe work environment builds a trustworthy relationship between workers and management.