An abbreviated presentation, introduces managers to Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and Dept of Labor guidance and enforcement of the Act. Emphasizes importance of dispensing with the amoral culture viewing Safety and Health laws, and even labor laws in general, as anything but beneficial to ethical and moral operation of any organization. Once established, compliance efforts are easy to maintain and proven to be profit centers.
2. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.; 29 CFR 1900 to end
Went into effect on April 28, 1971
"to assure so far as possible every working
man and woman in the Nation safe and
healthful working conditions and to preserve
our human resources." (29 USC 651, Sec. 2 (b)).
3. • Enforced by the federal
government or by states which
have their own approved programs
• Indiana has its own program
• Same or better than federal
program
4. Covers most places of employment
Generally divided into four categories:
• General Industry (29 CFR 1910);
• Construction (29 CFR 1926);
• Maritime (shipyards, marine terminals,
longshoring—29 CFR 1915-19); and
• Agriculture (29 CFR 1928)
• Federal Employees (29 CFR 1960)
5. Similarities of all categories:
• Access to medical and exposure
records
• Personal protective equipment
(PPE)
• Hazard communication
6. Access to medical and exposure records
• No “secret files” kept from employees.
• Records following treatment for
accidents and exposures.
• Medical surveillance records.
• Requirement of employer to keep
records.
7. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Meets standards (ANSI)
• Appropriate for tasks – Job Safety
Analysis (JSA)
• Provided by employer without cost
• Requirement of employer to keep
records
8. Hazard Communication (HAZCOM)
• Employee training (& documenting it!)
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Requirement of employer to keep records
and they are readily accessible by all
9. OSHA two regulatory functions:
• Setting standards and
• Conducting inspections
Also provides training and
compliance assistance
12. OSHA Enforcement Actions:
• De Minimus,
• Other than serious,
• Serious,
• Willful,
• Repeat, and
• Failure to Abate violations.
FINES or INPRISONMENT
13. The General Duty Clause:
“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”
14. Conclusion
• All employers have a duty to protect
workers from workplace illness and injury.
• OSHA provides laws to aid in this effort
along with many resources for employers
and employees to aid in compliance.
• Always research what is required to
ensure a workplace free of unnecessary
(preventable) risk.
• Purge the culture of minimalist thinking
or viewing compliance in conflict with
profitability (amoral)
