The act is based on certain worker’s rights. You have the right to ask OSHA to inspect your workplace. You also have the right to receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm and the OSHA standards that apply to your workplace. You have the right to receive this training in the language that you can understand. You have the right to get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace. You have the right to review records of work-related injuries and illnesses. Finally, and most importantly, you have the right to use your rights under the law without retaliation and discrimination.

OSHA covers private sector workers and federal government workers. State and local government workers are not covered by Federal OSHA, but do have protections in states that have an OSHA-approved state program. OSHA has offices in all 50 states and the District of Columbia as well as territories of the US. OSHA does not cover the self-employed; immediate family members of farm employers that do not employ outside employees; or workplace hazards regulated by another Federal agency such as Federal Aviation Administration.

Employers have several responsibilities. They are responsible for informing employees about hazards through training, labels, alarms, and other methods. They are responsible for keeping accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses. They must perform tests in the workplace, such as air sampling, that are required by OSHA standards. They must provide hearing exams or other medical tests required by OSHA standards. They must post OSHA citations, injury and illness data, and the OSHA poster in the workplace where workers will see them. They must also notify OSHA of all work-related fatalities within 8 hours, and all work-related inpatient hospitalizations, all amputations and all losses of an eye within 24 hours.

OSHA is something that just about every employer and employee is going to have to come into contact with and it is best to be prepared. Compliance Specialist

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1. Accidents – OSHA will always come to your facility after an accident, particularly if there is a death or a hospitalization. It does not matter what type of accident you experience at your facility, OSHA will investigate it. Employers have 8 hours to report an accident. Should an accident occur and it was caused by not following regulations, then you may face fines. Accidents that occur by a medical condition or natural conditions will not usually result in fines.
2. Complaints – Any employee can make a complaint to OSHA which will result in them coming out to your facility to investigate. An example would be nurses in a hospital can complain to OSHA about being understaffed which result in higher incidents of back injuries. They will also investigate if an employee complains of workplace violence. A nurse that is mugged at night in a back parking lot will lead to an investigation by OSHA on where is the best place for an employee to park.
3. General Scheduled Inspection – OSHA will visit the facility in high hazard industries and places where the rate of injuries and illnesses are high. They will come to your facility with a search warrant and will meet with the head of the facility. They will go through your facility and interview some of the employees at your facility. Sometimes they may only be looking at certain things; but if they see something else that isn’t right, they will not ignore it. They decide where they go, what they look at, and how long the inspection lasts.
4. Follow Ups and Referrals – If they find violations, they will follow up to make sure that it has been corrected. They will also come if they get a referral of hazardous material from other federal, state and local agencies.

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