Legal Requirements for Safety and Health

1
Legal Requirements for Safety and Health
Employers must comply with a variety of federal
and state laws Occupational Safety and Health
Act OSHA Workers Compensation laws Child Labor
Laws FLSA -
2
Major OSHA Provisions

• General Duty employer has a general duty to
  provide safe and healthy working conditions
  must keep employees informed
• Specific Standards vary by industry
• Inspections (Handout).
• Refusing Unsafe Work
• Employees fear is objectively reasonable
• Employee has tried to have the dangerous
  condition corrected
• Using normal procedures to solve the problem has
  not worked

3
Issues

• Local Emphasis http//www.osha.gov/dep/local_emp
  hasis_programs.html
• State Partners http//www.osha.gov/fso/osp/index
  .html
• Hazard Communication right to know
  http//www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_docum
  ent?p_tableFACT_SHEETSp_id151
• Workplace Aggression (Violence)
  http//www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/index.h
  tml
• Whistleblower Protection http//www.osha.gov/dep/
  oia/whistleblower/index.html

4
Managing Health Safety Issues at Work

• Wellness Programs typical programs include
  screenings, exercise programs, education
  awareness programs, skills.
• Employee Assistance Programs provide counseling
  and other help to employees having emotional,
  physical, or personal problems.
• Recordkeeping http//www.osha.gov/recordkeeping
  /index.html (Handout).

5
Safety Management

• Effective Safety Management Programs include
• Organizational commitment and responsibility
• Safety policies and discipline
• Safety training and communications
• Safety committees
• Inspection, accident investigation, research
• Evaluation of safety efforts Accountability