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Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations in the Workplace

The health and safety of most employees is covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA. There are a few exceptions--miners, government workers, transportation workers and some agricultural workers--where worker safety is covered under other agencies. For most workers, however, OSHA sets the specific standards for health and safety. Though there are numerous job and industry-specific standards, certain basic requirements are the same for all employers, regardless of industry.

  1. Safe Workplace

    • The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 gives workers the right to a safe workplace. This means employers must keep the work environment free from known hazards that could cause injury, illness or death. Employers are required to follow OSHA standards for safe work practices, hazardous materials, equipment operation, ventilation, personal protective equipment, fire protection, electrical protection and employee training, among others.

    Training

    • As part of providing a safe workplace, employers are required to provide proper and appropriate training for employees performing specific jobs and exposed to hazardous materials. Certain job functions may only be performed by those trained and qualified to do so, and it is the employer's responsibility to provide or verify the employee's training. For example, the employer must verify certification or provide training and certification to an employee before the employee may operate a forklift or, as another example, work at a hazardous materials cleanup operation. Employers must also label and provide training on all of the hazardous chemicals exposed to employees.

    Employee Involvement

    • Employees have the right to request, be involved in and know the results of an OSHA inspection at their workplace, request a test on a substance in the workplace, file a complaint and request an employer correct a workplace hazard.

    Information Access

    • Workers are also permitted certain information from employers regarding workplace hazards, testing and records. Workers may request, and employers provide, information on hazardous chemicals used on site, material safety data sheets, any testing results, workplace accidents and illnesses, exposure records and their own medical records. Employers must also provide information on applicable OSHA standards, display the workers' rights OSHA poster, and use labels when required. The employer must also any OSHA citations near the cited areas for employees to see.

    Reporting and Recordkeeping

    • In addition to providing information on hazards and safety information, employers must keep certain records and follow OSHA reporting requirements. Work-related injuries and illnesses must be kept on file, as well as results from required exposure and medical testing. Any incident that results in a death or the hospitalization of three or more workers must be reported to OSHA within eight hours. Employers are also required to submit documentation of corrected violations.

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