EHS Insider Blog

What is OSHA: Topic 3 - What responsibilities does your employer have under OSHA? A. Provide a Workplace Free from Recognized Hazards and Comply with OSHA Standards Establishing a safe and healthful workplace requires every employer to make safety and health a priority. In general, OSHA requires employers to:

What is OSHA: Topic 2 - What rights do you have under OSHA? A. Right to a Safe & Healthful Workplace Most importantly, the creation of OSHA provided workers the right to a safe and healthful workplace. Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act states: “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." A safe and healthful workplace means that hazards are removed and workers are trained. If a hazard cannot be removed completely, protection (for example, respirators or earplugs) must be provided.

In the latest CDC guidance updated October 5, 2020 the agency's definition of respiratory droplets has been updated to include large droplets, smaller droplets and particles. The new definition of droplets is accompanied by new guidance on airborne transmission. Employers should compare their current COVID 19 safety plans, processes and procedures with the latest CDC guidance below.

The purpose of this series is to answer the question - What is OSHA? The series is composed of 6 individual topics. Each topic expands on the question - What is OSHA? Topic 1. Why is OSHA important to you? Topic 2. What rights do you have under OSHA? Topic 3. What responsibilities does your employer have under OSHA? Topic 4. What do the OSHA standards say? Topic 5. How are OSHA inspections conducted? Topic 6. Where can you go for help?

Maintaining a safe workplace, improving productivity, and lowering your workers' compensation premiums all start in the same place: decreasing your employees' risk of injury. The fewer workers' comp claims you file, the lower your experience modification rate (EMR) will be—which translates to lower premiums. Furthermore, you'll save money because you won't have to replace injured employees, experience temporary productivity loss, repair broken equipment, or stop work to investigate an incident.