OSHA

What is OSHA's mission?

"save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of America's workers"

How can you participate in an OSHA inspection?

-A representative can accompany the OSHA inspector during the inspection -Workers can privately speak with the inspector -Workers can show inspectors hazards, describe injuries, illnesses, or near misses -Workers can learn inspection rules -Workers can object to dates set for correction of violations (may feel that they need more time)

How do they carry out this mission?

-Develop job safety and health standards and enforce them through work site inspections -Maintain a reporting and record keeping system to keep track of job-related injuries and illnesses -Provide training programs to increase knowledge about occupational safety and health

Sources within the workplace

-Employer or supervisor, co-workers and union reps -MSDSs for information on chemicals -Labels and warning signs -Employee orientation manuals -Work tasks and procedures instruction in writing

How are OSHA inspections conducted?

-OSHA compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) conduct workplace inspections without advance notice -may face jail time and/or fines if you tell employer about an OSHA inspection

Sources outside of the workplace

-OSHA website (www.osha.gov) and OSHA offices -Compliance Assistance specialists in local area offices -national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH)-OSHA's sister agency -OSHA training Institute Education centers -Health Care providers -Local, community based resources

What are some ways to file an OSHA complaint?

-OSHA's website online -Telephone -Visit local offices -Complete form--BE SPECIFIC -Then, OSHA will determine if an inspection is needed -Do not need to reveal your name

Employer responsibilities under OSHA

-Provide workplace free from hazards and comply with OSHA -Provide training -Keep records of injuries/illnesses -Provide medical exams when required by OSHA and provide workers access to their exposure and medical records -Not discriminate against workers -Post OSHA citations -Provide and pay for PPE

Who is not covered by OSHA?

-Self Employed -Immediate members of farming families not employing outside workers -Mine Workers -Public employees in state and local governments (some states have their own plans covering these workers)

What are some things covered under the right to be free from retaliation?

-Workers should be free of fear or punishment (in OSH act) -Workers have 30 days to contact OSHA if they feel this right is being violated -Workers can refuse to do a job if they feel that they are exposed to imminent danger

What rights do you have under OSHA?

-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 OSHA inspection -be free from retaliation from exercising safety and health rights

What are examples of some health and safety hazards that employers must provide employee training for?

-bloodborne pathogens -noise -fall hazards -PPE

According the right to know about hazardous chemicals, a written hazard communication program MUST be provided and include:

-labels on containers -MSDSs -Worker training- including effects of chemical hazards and protection

What are examples of substances on exposure and medical records?

-metals and dusts, lead, cadmium, silica -Biological agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi) -Physical stress (noise, heat, cold, vibration, repetitive motion, and radiation)

OSHA record-keeping rule

-most employers with more than 10 workers must keep a log of injuries and illnesses (OSHA 300) -workers can review the current log and the logs within the past 5 years -workers can review the annually posted summary of the injuries and illnesses

Employers must:

-report each worker death -report each incident that hospitalizes 3 or more workers -maintain injury and illness records -inform workers how to report an injury or illness -make records available -allow OSHA to access records -post annual summary of injury and illnesses

Workers can file a complaint with OSHA if:

-they feel that health standards have been violated or in an imminent danger situation

What are the four categories of OSHA standards?

1. General Industry 2. Construction 3. Maritime 4. Agriculture

What are the 4 types of penalities?

1. Willful 2. Serious 3. Other-than-serious 4. Repeated

Stages of inspection

1. presenting credentials 2. opening conference 3. the walk-around 4. closing conference 5. citations/penalties 6. appeals process

___ workers die everyday from job injuries, on average.

15

OSHA inspection priority

1: Imminent Danger 2: Fatality/Catastrophe 3: Complaints/Referrals 4: Programmed inspections

Workers have __ days to contact OSHA if they feel their right to be free from retaliation is being violated.

30 days

Over _______ non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses are reported.

4 million

Workers can review the current log and logs within the past __ years

5

Annually, over _____ workers die from work related injuries.

5,600

When did OSHA become a formal agency?

April 28, 1971

What does CSHO stand for?

Compliance Safety and Health Officer

T/F: Employers known about OSHA inspections prior to the inspection

False

T/F: Workers have to tell OSHA their name when they file a complaint.

False, you can remain anonymous

Which is of higher priority: follow up inspections or programmed inspections?

Follow up inspections

Which category does healthcare fall under?

General Industry

What does NIOSH stand for?

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Who is OSHA's sister agency?

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Before OSHA, did any laws exist for safety and health hazards?

No

What does OSHA stand for?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

When was OSHA initiated? By Who?

President Nixon signed the OSH Act on December 29, 1970

Presenting credentials

Stage 1 of inspection -an employer can require OSHA to get a warrant

Opening Conference

Stage 2 of inspection -worker/worker rep participates in all phases of inspection

The Walk-Around

Stage 3 of Inspection -inspect work areas that are potentially hazardous

Closing Conference

Stage 4 of inspection -CSHO meets with employer and worker rep -Violations and times for corrections are discussed

Citations/Penalties

Stage 5 of Inspection -CSHO writes a report. Citations are sent by certified mail. Employer must post them**

Appeals Process

Stage 6 of Inspection -right to disagree with OSHA citation and can request an informal conference with OSHA

"Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees." Which right is this an example of?

The right to a safe and healthful workplace

T/F: After filing a complain, worker's can find out OSHA's action on the complaint

True

OSHA is an agency of ________.

U.S. Department of Labor

What is covered under the right to examine exposure and medical records?

Workers can examine and copy medical records (records of employer monitoring toxic substances)

T/F: OSHA must provide training to employees on health and safety hazards.

false: it is the employer's responsibility. Employers must provide training on health and safety hazards

What is the main responsibility of OSHA?

health protection and safety of workers

Workers can express their concerns without fear of termination or discrimination, but ________.

the complaint must be in good faith

Who is responsible for providing and paying for PPE?

the employer

Where there are no specific OSHA standards, employers must comply with:

the general duty clause

T/F: OSHA protects workers who complain to their employer about unsafe or unhealthy conditions in the workplace.

true

T/F: an employer can require OSHA to get a warrant

true

T/F: A written hazard communication program must be provided by every employer.

true-- under the right to know about hazardous chemicals

Other than serious citation

up to $7,000 for each ex: poor housekeeping, creating a tripping hazard

Serious citation

up to $7,000 for each; mandatory ex: not providing guarding for works on a 25 foot scaffold, most likely result in death

Willful Citation

up to $70,000 for EACH minimum of $5,000 for EACH Intentionally commits violation

Repeated citation

up to $70,000 for each