OSHA Basics

OSHA Overview & Worker Rights

What OSHA is, employer duties, and the rights every worker has.

~7 min read·3 sections·4 key terms

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What OSHA Is

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) was created by the OSH Act of 1970 to assure safe and healthful working conditions. Its mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.

The GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE requires employers to provide a workplace 'free from recognized hazards' even when no specific standard applies.

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Employer Responsibilities

Employers must: provide a safe workplace, comply with OSHA standards, provide required training (in a language workers understand), supply required PPE (usually at no cost to the worker), keep records of injuries/illnesses, and display the OSHA poster.

Employers cannot retaliate against workers who exercise their safety rights.

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Worker Rights

Workers have the right to: • A safe workplace and required training. • See injury/illness records and exposure/medical records. • File a confidential COMPLAINT and request an OSHA inspection. • Be free from RETALIATION for reporting hazards or injuries. • Refuse work in cases of imminent danger (under specific conditions).

Workers can contact OSHA without telling their employer.

📖 Key Terms

OSH Act: The 1970 law that created OSHA.
General Duty Clause: Requires a workplace free from recognized hazards even without a specific standard.
Retaliation: Illegal punishment of a worker for exercising safety rights.
Imminent danger: A hazard that could cause death or serious harm immediately.

💡 Exam Tips

▸The General Duty Clause covers hazards with no specific standard.
▸Employers generally must provide required PPE at no cost to workers.
▸Workers can file a confidential complaint and request an inspection.
▸Retaliation for reporting hazards is illegal.