Anyone working in the private sector needs to be familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and how its guidelines affect both employers and employees. OSHA was founded under the OSH Act of 1970 and provides standards to workplaces to ensure the health and safety of their workers. The purpose of OSHA is to create and enforce these standards. The mission of OSHA is to save lives, prevent injuries, and require employers to provide a hazard-free workplace. OSHA also requires employers to follow certain responsibilities in meeting the standards.
The standards set forth by OSHA include, but are not limited to, guidance on preventing falls, providing personal protective equipment (PPE), mitigating noise, and information on the safe handling of chemicals. OSHA requires employers to comply with all these standards. In doing so, they must also provide required training to all workers, keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses and report them to OSHA, and provide employees with medical exams and any relevant records. In addition, necessary PPE must be paid for and provided to all workers by the employer. Examples of PPE include safety helmets, goggles, and ear protection. Employers must also abide by the rights given to employees by OSHA.
OSHA gives employees specific rights as well. Workers have the right to a safe workplace and to be informed about any hazardous conditions that do exist. They also have the right to request information about any work-related illness and injury records. Should a hazardous situation be observed, workers have the right to file a formal complaint with OSHA without any retaliation from their employer. Finally, workers may participate in any OSHA inspection of the facility.
This course will provide you with the information you need to be informed about OSHA and its rights and associated responsibilities. Being informed about how OSHA operates helps everyone be safe and healthy every day at work!
This program is available with Spanish and French closed captions.
