Unit #2All about OSHA

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What is OSHA?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Responsible for worker safety and health protection

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What does OSHA do? Encourages employers and employees to reduce

workplace hazards and implement new or improved existing safety and health programs

Develops and enforces mandatory job safety and health standards

Maintains a reporting and recordkeeping system to monitor job-related injuries and illnesses

Provides assistance, training and other support programs to help employers and workers

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Who is covered by the OSH Act?

Most private sector employees Coverage is provided directly by federal OSHA or

through an OSHA-approved state program Does not cover the self-employed or immediate

members of farm families that do not employ outside workers

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OSHA Standards

OSHA develops and enforces standards that employers must follow.

Where OSHA does not have standards, employers are responsible for following the OSH Act's General Duty Clause.

States with OSHA-approved programs must set standards at least as effective as federal standards.

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Recordkeeping and Reporting

• Employers of 11 or more employees must maintain records of occupational injuries and illnesses

• All employers must display the OSHA poster, and report to OSHA within 8 hours any accident that results in a fatality or in-patient hospitalization of 3 or more employees

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Recordable incidents

Death Loss of Consciousness Medical treatment greater than first aid Incident must be related to work Maintained on a calendar year basis

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Types of Recordable incidents

Days away from work Days restricted work or job transfer Other recordable

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Recordkeeping Forms

300 A Summary – Posted annually from February through April

300 Log

301 Incident Report

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Case Rates per 100 employees

Standardized rate for making comparisons Independent of facility size and number of

workers Calculated from OSHA Form 300 A summary

Number of Cases X 200,000 ÷ Number of hours worked by all employees

200,000 is the number of hours 100 employees working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year would work

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What are workers’ responsibilities? Read the OSHA poster Follow the employer’s safety and health rules

and wear or use all required gear and equipment Follow safe work practices for your job, as

directed by your employer Report hazardous conditions to a supervisor or

safety committee Report hazardous conditions to OSHA, if

employers do not fix them Cooperate with OSHA inspectors

(see OSHA Workers' web page for more information)11

What are workers’ rights? A safe and healthful workplace Know about hazardous chemicals Information about injuries and illnesses in your

workplace Complain or request hazard correction from employer Training Hazard exposure and medical records File a complaint with OSHA Participate in an OSHA inspection Be free from retaliation for exercising safety and health

rights(see OSHA Workers' web page for more information) 12

What are employers’ rightsand responsibilities?

Provide a workplace free from recognized hazards and comply with OSHA standards

Provide training required by OSHA standards Keep records of injuries and illnesses Provide medical exams when required by OSHA standards and

provide workers access to their exposure and medical records Not discriminate against workers who exercise their rights under

the Act (Section 11(c)) Post OSHA citations and abatement verification notices Provide and pay for PPE

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Major Federal Laws

• 29 CFR 1910 – General Industry Standards (USDOL OSHA)

• 29 CFR 1926 – Construction Standards (USDOL OSHA)

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Most Frequent OSHA Violations:Wholesale Grocery (SIC 5141)

OSHA Standard # Cited1910.178 – Powered industrial trucks 281910.305 – Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use

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1910.303 – Electrical: General requirements 13

1910.36 – Design and construction requirements for exit routes

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1904.157 – Portable fire extinguishers 10

1910.151 – Medical services and first aid 8

October 2009 to September 2010

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OSHA Workers' Page

http://www.osha.gov/workers.html 16