Introduction To OSHA - United States Army

Introduction to OSHAOSHA Office of Training and Education1

What is OSHA? Occupational Safetyand Health Administration Responsible for worker safety and healthprotectionOSHA Office of Training and Education2

Is there a need for OSHA?Each year. About 6,000 deaths from workplace injuries An estimated 50,000 deaths from illnessescause by workplace exposures 6 million non-fatal workplace injuries Injuries alone cost U.S. businesses morethan 125 billionOSHA Office of Training and Education3

Has OSHA made a difference?YES!Since 1970 OSHA has: Cut the work-related fatality rate in half Reduced overall injury and illness rates inindustries where OSHA concentrated itsattention Virtually eliminated brown lung disease inthe textile industry, and Reduced trenching and excavation fatalitiesby 35 percentOSHA Office of Training and Education4

What does OSHA do? Encourages employers and employees to reduceworkplace hazards and implement new or improveexisting safety and health programs Develops and enforces mandatory job safety andhealth standards Maintains a reporting and recordkeeping system tomonitor job-related injuries and illnesses Provides assistance, training and other supportprograms to help employers and workersOSHA Office of Training and Education5

Who is covered by the OSH Act? All employees and their employers under FederalGovernment authority Coverage provided either directly by federal OSHA orthrough an OSHA-approved state program Does not cover the self-employed or immediatemembers of farm families that do not employ outsideworkersOSHA Office of Training and Education6

OSHA Standards OSHA is responsible for writing and enforcingstandards that employers must follow Where OSHA has not issued specificstandards, employers are responsible forfollowing the OSH Act's “General Duty Clause” States with OSHA-approved programs must setstandards at least as effective as federalstandardsOSHA Office of Training and Education7

What does OSHA require? Determine which OSHA standardsapply to your workplace Follow the OSHA standards andrequirementsOSHA Office of Training and Education8

Recordkeeping and Reporting Employers of 11 or more employeesmust maintain records of occupationalinjuries and illnesses All employers must report to OSHAwithin 8 hours any accident thatresults in a fatality or in-patienthospitalization of 3 or moreemployeesOSHA Office of Training and Education9

Recordkeeping Forms Maintained on a calendaryear basis Summary of records forthe previous year must beposted from Februarythrough AprilOSHA Office of Training and Education10

What are workers’ responsibilities? Read the OSHA poster Follow the employer’s safety and health rules andwear or use all required gear and equipment Follow safe work practices for your job, as directedby your employer Report hazardous conditions to a supervisor or safetycommittee Report hazardous conditions to OSHA, if employersdo not fix them Cooperate with OSHA inspectors(see OSHA’s Workers’ web page for more information)OSHA Office of Training and Education11

What are workers’ rights? Workers have a vital role to play in identifying andcorrecting problems in their workplaces, working withtheir employers whenever possible Workers can complain to OSHA about workplaceconditions threatening their health or safety inperson, by telephone, by fax, by mail or electronicallythrough OSHA’s web site Section 11(c) of the OSH Act gives workers the rightto seek safe and healthful conditions on the jobwithout being disciplined or fired(see OSHA’s Workers’ web page for more information)OSHA Office of Training and Education12

OSHA’s Workers’ PageOSHA Office of Training and Education13

What are employers’ rightsand responsibilities? Employers must provide a safe and healthfulworkplace free of recognized hazards and followthe OSHA standards The OSH Act grants employers important rights,particularly during and after an OSHA inspection Employers also provide training, medicalexaminations and recordkeepingOSHA Office of Training and Education14

Workplace Inspections Every establishment coveredby the OSH Act is subject toinspection by OSHAcompliance safety and healthofficers (CSHO's) Most inspections are conductedwithout advance noticeOSHA Office of Training and Education15

Inspection Process CSHO displays officialcredentials Opening conference Walkaround inspection Closing conferenceOSHA Office of Training and Education16

Conducting the Walkaround Inspection CSHO and accompanying representatives(employer and employee) inspect theestablishment for potentially hazardous workingconditions CSHO discusses possible corrective actionswith the employer CSHO may consult, at times privately, withemployeesOSHA Office of Training and Education17

What happens after an OSHA inspection? OSHA may or may not issue citations Citations inform employer and employees of theregulations and standards allegedly violated andof the proposed time for abatement Employer must post a copy of each citation at ornear place where violation occurred, for 3 days oruntil violation is corrected, whichever is longerOSHA Office of Training and Education18

Sources of Assistance OSHA web site (www.osha.gov) Consultation assistance Federal and State area offices Speakers, publications, a/v aids, technical advice Training and education OSHA Training Institute (OTI) and the OTIEducation Centers OSHA Outreach Training Program OSHA Office of General Industry ComplianceAssistance OSHA Office of State Programs Voluntary Protection ProgramsOSHA Office of Training and Education19

OSHA Web Site(www.osha.gov) About OSHA (contacts, programs . . .) Events (conferences, hearings . . .) Library/Reading Room (statistics . . .) News Room (publications, news releases . . .) Outreach (technical links, training . . .) Regulations & Compliance (standards . . .)OSHA Office of Training and Education20

Where to Get OSHA Standards Federal Register in public librariesor at the GPO web site CD-ROM subscription through U.S.Government Printing Office (GPO) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)in public libraries and through GPO OSHA web site - OSHA standards,interpretations, directives(www.osha.gov)OSHA Office of Training and Education21

Consultation Assistance Provided at no cost to employer Developed for smaller employers withmore hazardous operations Delivered by state government agenciesor universities employing professionalsafety and health consultants No penalties are proposed or citationsissued Possible violations of OSHA standardsare not reported to OSHA enforcementstaff unless employer fails to eliminateor control any serious hazard orimminent dangerOSHA Office of Training and Education22

OSHA Emergency Hot-Line1-800-321-OSHA Hot-line for reporting workplace safety orhealth emergencies Provides a 24-hour point of contact to reportimminent dangers on the jobOSHA Office of Training and Education23

Summary OSHA helps save lives and prevent injuries OSHA balances a cooperative approach withtraditional enforcement OSHA standards are the enforceablerequirements for worker safety and health Inspections are OSHA’s way to ensurecompliance OSHA offers various means of assistanceOSHA Office of Training and Education24

OSHA Office of Training and Education 21 Where to Get OSHA Standards Federal Register in public libraries or at the GPO web site CD-ROM subscription through U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in public libraries and through GPO OSHA web site - OSHA standards, interpretations, directives (www.osha.gov)