OSHA-Mandated Responsibilities
As you can see, employers have clearly defined responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, and as the "agent of the employer" the supervisors have the same responsibilities for the employees they supervise.
The OSHA "It's the Law" poster.
The following list are basic responsibilities stated throughout OSHA standards.
- Provide employees a workplace free from recognized hazards. It is illegal to retaliate against an employee for using any of their rights under the law, including raising a health and safety concern with you or with OSHA, or reporting a work-related injury or illness.
- Comply with all applicable OSHA standards.
- Report to OSHA all work-related fatalities within 8 hours, and all inpatient hospitalizations, amputations and losses of an eye within 24 hours.
- Provide required training to all workers in a language and vocabulary they can understand.
- Prominently display this poster in the workplace.
- Post OSHA citations at or near the place of the alleged violations.
Employee Rights
Under OSHA law, you are entitled to working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm. Workers have certain rights, under OSHA law, and employers have certain responsibilities.
Workers have the right to:
- A safe and healthful workplace.
- Be free from retaliation for exercising safety and health rights.
- Raise a safety or health concern with your employer or OSHA, or report a work-related injury or illness, without being retaliated against.
- Receive information and training on job hazards, including all hazardous substances in your workplace.
- Request an OSHA inspection of your workplace if you believe there are unsafe or unhealthy conditions. OSHA will keep your name confidential. You have the right to have a representative contact OSHA on your behalf.
- Refuse to do a task if you believe it is unsafe or unhealthful.
- Participate (or have your representative participate) in an OSHA inspection and speak in private to the inspector.
- File a complaint with OSHA within 30 days (by phone, online or by mail) if you have been retaliated against for using your rights.
- See any OSHA citations issued to your employer.
- Request copies of your medical records, tests that measure hazards in the workplace, and the workplace injury and illness log.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-3. Within what period of time must you file a complaint with OSHA if you have been retaliated against for exercising your rights?
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