Introduction to OSHAOSHA
10-Hour Construction IndustryRequired Online Topic Time:
60m
Learning Objectives
Duration
60 minutes
Terminal Learning Objective
Given OSHA historical events and current
information, the student will be able to explain
the importance of OSHA in providing a safe and
healthful workplace to workers covered by
OSHA.
Enabling Learning Objectives
Explain why OSHA is important to workers
Explain worker rights under OSHA
Discuss employer responsibilities under OSHA
Discuss the use of OSHA standards
Explain how OSHA inspections are conducted
Utilize helpful worker safety and health
resources
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OSHA’s Mission
Occupational Safety and Health The OSH Act covers all private sector
Administration (OSHA) is an employers and their workers in the
agency of the U.S. Department of 50 states and all territories and
Labor.
jurisdictions under federal authority.
OSHA was created by Congress Employers and workers in many
under the Occupational Safety fields are covered by OSHA, including
and Health Act of 1970.
but not limited to:
Manufacturing
Construction
Longshoring
Agriculture
Law
Medicine
Charity
Disaster relief
Religious groups are covered if they employ workers for
secular purposes, such as maintenance or gardening.
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OSHA’s Mission continued…
Knowledge
Key
The mission of OSHA is to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of America’s
workers. The OSH Act states that workers have the right to a safe workplace and that it is
the employer’s responsibility to provide safe and healthy workplaces.
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OSHA’s Standards
OSHA standards appear in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) and are then broken down into Parts.
For example, Part 1910 is known as the general industry standards, and Part 1926
covers the construction industry. Some of the types of industries covered by the general
industry standards are manufacturing, the service sector, and health care.
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OSHA’s Standards continued…
OSHA standards are rules that
describe the methods that
employers must use to
protect their employees from
hazards.
These standards limit the amount of
hazardous chemicals workers can be exposed to,
require the use of certain safe practices and
equipment, and require employers to monitor
hazards and keep records of workplace injuries
and illnesses.
When no specific OSHA standards apply to a given
situation, employers must comply with the OSH Act's
"General Duty Clause,“ which requires that each
employer "furnish ... a place of employment which [is]
free from recognized hazards that are
causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical
harm to his employees.”
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OSHA’s Standards continued…
Knowledge
Keythe methods that employers must use to protect
OSHA standards are rules that describe
their employees from hazards. These standards limit the amount of hazardous chemicals
workers can be exposed to, require the use of certain safe practices and equipment, and
require employers to monitor hazards and keep records of workplace injuries and illnesses.
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Employer Responsibilities
Your employer has many
responsibilities under OSHA. These
include:
Providing a workplace free from recognized
hazards and complying with OSHA standards
Providing training required by OSHA standards
Keeping records of injuries and illnesses
Providing medical exams when required by
OSHA standards and providing workers access to
their exposure and medical records
Not discriminating against workers who exercise
their rights under the Act (Section 11(c))
Posting OSHA citations and abatement
verification notices
Providing and paying for PPE
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Employer Responsibilities continued…
Knowledge
Key
Your employer must follow OSHA's standards. This means that your employer is responsible
for providing you, the worker, with training required by OSHA standards, a workplace free
of recognized hazards, medical exams when required by OSHA standards, and access to
your exposure and medical records. Additionally, your employer must keep records of
illnesses and injuries, not discriminate against workers exercising their rights, post OSHA
citations and abatement notices, and provide and pay for PPE.
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Workers’ Rights and
Responsibilities
Workers should know that
OSHA holds employers
responsible for the safety
and health conditions in the
workplace and does not cite
workers for violations.
You, the worker, must follow occupational
safety and health standards and rules
that apply to your workplace, such as
wearing appropriate personal protective
equipment while working.
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Workers’ Rights and
Responsibilities continued…
Knowledge
Key safety and health standards and rules that apply
You, the worker, must follow occupational
to your workplace. You have the right to: a safe and healthful workplace, knowledge of
hazardous conditions, information on any injuries or illnesses in your workplace, complain
or request hazard correction from your employer, training as provided in the OSHA
standards, hazard exposure and medical records, the ability to file a complaint with OSHA,
participate in an OSHA inspection, and freedom from retaliation for exercising your safety
and health rights.
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Inspection Process
OSHA enforces standards
through inspections.
OSHA targets the most dangerous workplaces;
industries with fatalities and serious
injuries.
Inspections follow a standard process,
consisting of:
an opening conference
a walkthrough
a closing conference with the employer
Workers have the right to participate in the
inspection and have the right to participate in
any meetings related to the inspection. They
can also object to the date set for the violation
to be corrected and be notified if the employer
files a contest.
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Inspection Process continued…
Knowledge
OSHA enforces standards throughKey
inspections, prioritizing the most dangerous workplaces.
Inspections follow a standard process, consisting of an opening conference, a walkthrough,
and a closing conference. Workers have the right to participate in the inspection to point
out safety and health issues in the workplace. They also have the right to participate in any
meetings related to the inspection and can object to the date set for the violation to be
corrected and be notified if they employer files a contest.
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Reporting Hazards
The first action to report a
safety hazard should be to
contact your team leader,
supervisor, manager, safety
committee, etc.
While anyone who knows about a workplace
safety or health hazard may report unsafe
conditions to OSHA, it’s a good practice to try
to abate the hazard and prevent further
exposure before OSHA would need to be
involved.
You may file a report online, in person, by
fax or mail, or after a phone
conversation.
It is recommended that all forms be fully
completed and signed.
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Reporting Hazards continued…
Depending on how a
complaint is submitted, OSHA
may handle in one of several
different ways.
If a complaint is filed over the phone, is not
signed, or is not a serious hazard, OSHA will
contact the employer by phone, fax, or email.
If the complaint is about a serious hazard,
OSHA will conduct an inspection at the
worksite.
If the complaint is written, signed, and
submitted to the OSHA area or State Plan
office, OSHA will most likely conduct an
inspection.
If the complaint is submitted online, OSHA
will handle most complaints over the
phone.
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Reporting Hazards continued…
Knowledge
Keyshould be to contact your team leader, supervisor,
The first action to report a safety hazard
manager, safety committee, etc. You may file a report online, in person, by fax or mail, or
after a phone conversation. Serious hazards almost always result in a site inspection, as do
complaints that are written, signed, and submitted to the OSHA area or State Plan office.
Complaints that are submitted online, over the phone, or are not serious hazards will be
resolved over the phone. It is recommended that all forms be fully completed and signed.
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Whistleblower Protections continued…
Knowledge
Key
It is illegal for your employer to use disciplinary, incentive, or drug testing programs to
prevent you from reporting any job safety and health hazards. If you have been punished or
discriminated against for using your rights, you must file a complaint with OSHA within 30
days of the alleged reprisal for most complaints.
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Worker Resources
Because of the rights provided to you, the
worker, you can utilize some sources inside
of your workplace, such as:
Your employer or supervisor, co-workers and union
representatives
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
Labels and warning signs
Employee orientation manuals or other training
materials
You can also access resources outside of
your workplace, such as:
NIOSH Website
OSHA Website and OSHA Offices
Healthcare Providers
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Worker Resources continued…
Knowledge
Key
There are many resources available to workers who want to find out more information
about safety or health issues both inside and outside of their workplace. These include but
are not limited to: safety data sheets (SDSs), labels and warning signs, NIOSH, health care
providers, and OSHA.
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Practice Questions
1. What is OSHA’s mission? 3. Which of the following answer options are your
a. employer's responsibility? Select all that apply.
a.To have personnel in every workplace in the a.
nation a. Keep records of injuries and illnesses
b. To save lives, prevent injuries, and protect the b. Provide training required by OSHA standards
health of America’s workers c. Give all workers raises on a regular basis
c. To ensure all worker compensation claims are d. Post OSHA citations and abatement notices
paid e. Provide and pay for PPE
2. What does the General Duty Clause require 4. You have the right to participate in an OSHA
employers to do? _________.
b. b.
a. Pay their employees a living wage a. Retaliation
b. Give their employees a good severance b. Inspection
package c. Medical
c. Furnish a place of employment free from d. OSHA
recognized hazards that can cause death or
serious physical harm
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Practice Questions continued…
5. An OSHA inspection was conducted at Raul’s 7. Which of the following is a resource within the
workplace. He is curious about the results and workplace that will help you find information on
wonders what actions his employers might have to safety and health issues? Select all that apply.
take to fix any issues found during the inspection. a.
Does Raul have a right to this information? a. Union representatives
a. b. Co-workers
a. Yes c. Labels and warning signs
b. No
6. Alicia has filed a complaint regarding a serious
hazard that could result in a fatality or serious injury.
How will OSHA most likely respond?
b.
a. Conduct a worksite inspection
b. Contact the employer by phone, fax, or email
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Practice Questions Answer Key
1. B
2. C
3. A, B, D, E
4. B
5. A
6. A
7. A, B, C
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Conclusion
Great job!
You have now completed the Introduction to
OSHA Construction Industry topic.
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LLC.
