Health and Safety Regulations: What Employers Should Know

Health and Safety Regulations: What Employers Should Know

Health and Safety Regulations: What Employers Should Know

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace.

Here is a short summary of what employers should do to comply with relevant health and safety regulations.

  • Communicate employees’ rights and responsibilities under the law. Post the OSHA poster in your workplace.
  • Ensure that the workplace environment complies with standards, rules, and regulations set forth in the OSH Act.
  • Make sure that the workplace is eliminated of serious, recognized hazards.
  • Workplace conditions must meet OSHA standards.
  • Employees should have and use tools and equipment that are safe on the job, and properly maintained.
  • To warn employees of potential workplace hazards, be sure to use posters, labels, signs, color codes, and other visual features.
  • Provide safety training to all employees using language they can understand.
  • Establish or update safety and operating procedures in your workplace. Communicate them clearly so employees can follow them.
  • Create and implement a hazard communication program, if you are an employer with hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Train employees on the hazards in which they are exposed. Take proper precautions.
  • Provide medical examinations as required by OSHA standards.
  • Report any fatal accident or one that results in the hospitalization of three of more employees within 8 hours.
  • Keep the log of work-related injuries and make it accessible to authorized people whose names have been reported to the OSHA compliance officer
  • Do not discriminate against employees who exercise their rights under the Act.
  • Post OSHA citations and its abatement verification at workplace. If applicable, correct cited violations with the submission of required documentation in time
  • Adopt an Injury and Illness Prevention Program to reduce workplace injuries and alleviate the associated financial burden.

A safe and healthful workplace not only attracts talents but also helps the business avoid unnecessary trouble. By following the above instructions, every employer can make significant contributions to the workplace health and safety.

Sources: OSHA, United States Department of Labor. Employer Responsibilities

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