Question: Has my employer ever been cited by OSHA?

Answer:

You can research your employer's inspection history through OSHA's establishment search. Type in the name of your company and choose the dates you want to cover.

Question: What should I do if I've been fired or punished for reporting safety or health concerns?

Answer:

If a worker believes an employer has retaliated against them for exercising their safety and health rights, they should contact their local OSHA office right away. A whistleblower complaint must be filed with OSHA within 30 calendar days from when the retaliatory decision was made and communicated to the worker. OSHA will accept a complaint in any language. Call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or contact your local OSHA office.

Question: Who can file a complaint and what are the steps?

Answer:

Workers or their representatives may file a complaint online or by phone, mail, email or fax with the local OSHA office and request an inspection of a workplace if they believe there is a violation of a safety or health standard, or if there is any danger that threatens physical harm. A worker may also ask OSHA not to reveal his or her name. In addition, anyone who knows about a workplace safety or health hazard may report unsafe conditions to OSHA, and OSHA will investigate the concerns reported.

Question: How can I get an OSHA inspector to my workplace to evaluate unsafe practices?

Answer:

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 gives employees and their representatives the right to file a complaint and request an OSHA inspection of their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or their employer is not following OSHA standards. Workers do not have to know whether a specific OSHA standard has been violated in order to file a complaint.

Question: What is recordable under OSHA's Recordkeeping Regulation?

Answer:

For answers on what is recordable under OSHA regulations, see the Detailed Guidance for OSHA's Injury and Illness Recordkeeping Rule. Also keep in mind the following:

• Covered employers must record all work-related fatalities;
• Covered employers must record all work-related injuries and illnesses that result in days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, loss of consciousness or medical treatment beyond first aid;
• Employers must record significant work-related injuries or illnesses diagnoses by a physician or other licensed health care professional, even if it does not result in death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness;
• OSHA's definition of work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities are those in which an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the condition. In addition, if an event or exposure in the work environment significantly aggravated a pre-existing injury or illness, this is also considered work-related.
  • Injuries include cases such as, but not limited to, a cut, fracture, sprain, or amputation;
  • Illnesses include both acute and chronic illnesses, such as, but not limited to, a skin disease (i.e. contact dermatitis), respiratory disorder (i.e. occupational asthma, pneumoconiosis), or poisoning (i.e. lead poisoning, solvent intoxication).

For more information, visit OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements.

Question: Am I required to prepare and maintain recordkeeping records?

Answer:

Employers with more than ten employees and whose establishments are not classified as a partially exempt industry must record work-related injuries and illnesses using OSHA Forms 300, 300A and 301.

Partially exempt industries include establishments in specific low hazard retail, service, finance, insurance or real estate industries and are listed in Appendix A to Subpart B.

Employers who are required to keep Form 300, the Injury and Illness log, must post Form 300A, the summary of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses in their workplace every year from February 1 to April 30. Current and former employees, or their representatives, have the right to access injury and illness records. Employers must give the requester a copy of the relevant record(s) by the end of the next business day.

For more information, visit OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements.

Question: Are employers required to  provide safety training to  employees?

Answer:

Many OSHA standards require that employers train employees to ensure they have the required skills and knowledge to safely do their work. See Training Requirements in OSHA Standards and Resource for Development and Delivery of Training to Workers for more information.

Question: Does OSHA offer free help for my business to comply with regulations?

Answer:

OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential safety and occupational health advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the U.S., with priority given to high-hazard worksites. The Consultation Program is completely separate from the OSHA inspection effort, and employers can find out about potential hazards at their workplace, improve programs that are already in place, and even qualify for a one-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections. No citations or penalties are issued and the employer's only obligation is to correct serious job safety and health hazards.

In addition, OSHA's Compliance Assistance Specialists provide advice, education, and assistance to businesses (particularly small employers), trade associations, local labor affiliates, and other stakeholders who request help with occupational safety and health issues. We work with professional organizations, unions, and community groups concerning issues of safety and health in the workplace.

Question: What OSHA requirements should I follow when starting a business?

Answer:

Under the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act), employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to employees regardless of the size of business. Employers must comply with OSHA standards under the OSH Act.

Question: I have a question about how OSHA rules apply to a specific situation at my business. How can I get answers?

Answer:

If you have questions about OSHA regulations relating to your specific situation, call your local OSHA office directly or submit a question by email. You can also view OSHA's letters of interpretation, which are formal explanations of OSHA's requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances.