Question: What types of protective equipment is my employer required to provide to me and do I have to pay for it?

Answer:

Many OSHA standards require employers to provide personal protective equipment to protect them from job-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. With few exceptions, OSHA requires employers to pay for personal protective equipment when it is used to comply with OSHA standards. These typically include: hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, safety glasses, welding helmets and goggles, face shields, chemical protective equipment and fall protection equipment. See OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment web page for more information.

Question: Am I required to work alone in a dangerous environment?

Answer:

There is no general OSHA Standard that deals with the situation of an employee "working alone" except in specific situations such as emergency response, interior structural firefighting, or working in permit required confined spaces. Employers are encouraged to develop emergency procedures, such as providing a wireless electronic notification device and/or cell phone to those employees, but those are recommendations and not typically enforceable.

Question: Can I open an OSHA training center in another country?

Answer:

OSHA is a federal regulatory agency which covers private sector employers and their employees in the U.S. and certain territories and jurisdictions under federal authority. OSHA training programs such as the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center program and the Outreach Training Program are for workers covered under the agency's jurisdiction. OSHA courses for the general public, including online courses, are only offered in training locations within the agency's jurisdiction. There is no international OSHA training program.

Question: When do I need to be in compliance with this rule?

Answer:

Employers covered by the construction standard have complied with most requirements of the standard by September 23, 2017 (delayed from June 23, 2017).

Employers covered by the general industry and maritime standard must have complied with most requirements of the standard by June 23, 2018.

Question: If my workplace is unsafe, what can I do?

Answer:

If you believe working conditions are unsafe or unhealthful, we recommend that you bring the conditions to your employer's attention. At any time, a worker may file a complaint with OSHA to report a hazardous working condition and request an inspection. If the condition clearly presents a risk of death or serious physical harm and there is not enough time for OSHA to inspect, the worker may have a legal right to refuse to work.

Question: What is my employer required to do if there are bugs or rodents at my workplace?

Answer:

OSHA's sanitation standard requires that employers construct, equip, and maintain their workplaces to prevent rodents and insects from entering, and if they are discovered, an effective extermination program must be implemented.

Employer responsibilities for controlling vermin can be found in the sanitation standard, which covers vermin control at permanent places of employment; for temporary labor camps in general industry; and for construction.

Question: What do I do if there is a violent environment at my workplace?

Answer:

Although OSHA has no specific standard on workplace violence, workers have a right to a safe workplace. Your employer must provide a workplace free of known health and safety hazards. If you have concerns, you have the right to speak up about them without fear of retaliation. You can also contact your local OSHA Office or file a safety and health complaint and OSHA will keep your information confidential.

In most workplaces where risk factors can be identified, the risk of assault can be prevented or minimized if employers take appropriate precautions. One of the best protections employers can offer their workers is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence. This policy should cover all workers, patients, clients, visitors, contractors, and anyone else who may come in contact with company personnel.

For more information, see OSHA's workplace violence page.

Question: Outreach training: How do I become a certified OSHA instructor for 10-hour and 30-hour cards?

Answer:

OSHA authorizes Outreach trainers to conduct occupational safety and health awareness training through the OSHA Outreach Training Program. Individuals who meet the course prerequisites and complete a one-week OSHA trainer course receive a certificate of completion and an authorized Outreach trainer card. Outreach trainer courses include disaster site workers (second responders), construction, general industry, or maritime. Upon successful completion of the trainer course, Outreach trainers are authorized to teach classes based on the trainer course subject area. These include a 15-hour course for disaster site workers (second responders), as well as 10- and 30-hour Outreach training classes in construction, general industry, or maritime safety and health hazards. _Authorized Outreach trainers are responsible for distributing OSHA class completion cards to trainees who successfully complete the class.

The OSHA Outreach Training Program is a voluntary program. The training courses do not meet the training requirements for any OSHA standards. However, some states have enacted laws mandating the training. Some employers, unions, organizations or other jurisdictions may also require this training.

Question: Outreach training: Can I get the OSHA 10-hour card online?

Answer:

Yes, you can receive the OSHA 10-hour or other Outreach Training Program classes online through OSHA-authorized independent training providers.

If you have technical issues or customer service concerns related to your online Outreach Training Program classes, you should contact the online training provider directly to resolve the matter. If the online training provider is unable to resolve the matter, you may forward your concern to OSHA by email at outreach@dol.gov by providing specific information about the issue and all relevant communication between you and the online training provider.

Outreach Training Program trainers are required to issue student course completion cards directly to the student within 90 days of class completion. If you completed an Outreach Training Program 10- or 30-hour class and did not receive your completion card within 90 days, contact your Outreach trainer.

Question: Outreach training: Where can I get a replacement 10-Hour or 30-Hour Card?

Answer:

OSHA does not maintain student records for training conducted by other organizations or by authorized Outreach trainers. To obtain transcripts or copies of course completion documents such as student course completion cards, you must contact the original training provider. Only one replacement card may be issued per student per class, and a fee may be charged by the Authorizing Training Organization to replace a course completion card.

If the training occurred longer than five years ago or you cannot locate the trainer, you must retake the class to receive a new card.