OSHA General Safety Standards

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must follow the general duty clause, which says workers are to be provided with a safe working environment, free from recognized hazards. The general duty clause applies when no other safety rule defines a hazard.

Worker's Rights

• Workers are entitled to safety training and information about the hazards in their workplace. This training must be provided in their language. In addition, employees also have the right to review test results of hazards in their workplace, review records of employee injuries and receive their medical records. Workers also have the right to request the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to visit their workplace. Workers can exercise these rights free from employer retaliation and discrimination.

Regulations

• OSHA standards define how employers keep their employees safe. These standards cover topics such as workers' safety training and protective equipment, hazardous chemicals, employee record-keeping and emergency response plans in the workplace.

Coverage

• OSHA covers private sector and federal workers in the U.S.. Local and state government workers are not covered by federal OSHA, but are protected under the 1970 Occupation Safety and Health Act as long as their state has an OSHA-approved program. OSHA does not protect self-employed people.