If you are a business owner or an employer of an organization, then you have several responsibilities under OSHA. Do you want to know what your responsibilities are? Then, go through the below information.
Keeping workplace free from recognized hazard and complying with OSHA standards
OSHA requires employer to make health and safety as a priority in the organization. In general, it requires employers for – maintaining some conditions and adopting best practices necessary for protecting the workers in the job. They should be familiar with the standards that are applicable to the workplace and also comply with those standards. They must also ensure that the workers are given personal protective equipment and are allowed using the same, when necessary and complying with “General Duty Clause” of OSH Act where there are no specific standards.
Providing required training for employees with OSHA standards
OSHA considers that training is the important aspect in protecting the workers from illness and injuries. Employee has the right for receiving training from an employer; and it is the employer’s responsibility to provide the training with OSHA standards on a variety of safety and health hazards, and standards such as – confined spaces, fall protection, chemical right to know, etc.
Many OSHA standards require the employer to train the employees regarding the health and safety aspects of the job and other OSHA regulations make the employer responsible for limiting the assignments of the job for those employees who are qualified and certified. It means they have had special previous training in or out of the workplace.
Some of the OSHA construction standards include the requirement of general training that states, “The employer will instruct the employees in identifying and avoiding the unsafe conditions and also the standards that are applicable to the employee work environment for eliminating or controlling any hazards or exposure to illness or injury.” There are also some other additional training requirements for workers in construction as well as other employees of various businesses. So, employer should make sure that adequate training is given to the employees of their organization.
Keeping the records of the injuries and illness
Employer should keep all the records of the employees’ injury and illness that include – setting up a reporting system, providing the copies of logs when they are requested by the employees, posting the annual summary, reporting within 8 hours of any accidents that results in hospitalization or fatality of 3 or more than 3 workers. It is one of the important parts of the employer’s responsibility. It helps OSHA for identifying the high hazard industries and intimates the employer and workers regarding the illness and the injuries in the work place.
Not to discriminate the workers covered under this Act
OSHA prohibits the discrimination of the employer against employees for exercising the employee rights under this Act. If the employees feel that they are discriminated for exercising their safety and health rights under OSHA, they can make a report of the discrimination to the nearest OSHA office within the given limit of time. Usually, OSHA gives 30 days’ time for reporting.
Other responsibilities of the employer include:
- Providing medical exams when required under the OSHA standards; and giving access to the exposure and medical records.
- Posting OSHA abatement verification notices and citations.
- Providing and paying for PPE.
