Question

What types of unsafe conditions are the primary focus of OSHA standards? How does OSHA enforce its standards?

Answer 1

OSHA’s basic purpose is to administer the act and to set and enforce the safety and health standards that apply to almost all workers in the United States. The Department of Labor enforces the standards, and OSHA has inspectors working out of branch offices to ensure compliance.

OSHA operates under the general standard clause that each employer shall furnish to each of their employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to their employees. Under OSHA, companies/employers who employ 11 or more people are required to maintain records of and report certain occupational injuries and illnesses which are caused by exposure to environmental factors associated with employment.

To carry out this basic mission, OSHA disseminates detailed legally enforceable standards. The regulations do not just list standards to which employers should adhere, but how they are required to comply. For example, OSHA’s respiratory protection standard also covers employee training.

OSHA enforces its standards through inspections and when deemed appropriate, they issue citations. These inspection are usually unannounced and OSHA may not conduct warrantless inspections without an employer’s consent. They may inspect with an authorized search warrant or its equivalent. OSHA has a limited number of inspectors so they changed their focus a fair and effective enforcement concept, combined with outreach, education and compliance assistance, and various OSHA–employer cooperative programs like their Voluntary Protection Programs.