EHS Insider Blog

What is OSHA: Topic 4 - What do the OSHA Standards say?  A. Types of Standards Now, let’s talk briefly about the OSHA standards. OSHA standards fall into four categories: General Industry, Construction, Maritime, and Agriculture.

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.

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?

Federal OSHA coverage Federal OSHA with their state partners they have approximately 2,200 inspectors responsible for the health and safety of 130 million workers, employed at more than 8 million worksites around the nation — which translates to about one compliance officer for every 59,000 workers. Federal OSHA has 10 regional offices and 90 local area offices.