Osha

Cora Randolph HCA 01/07/10 OSHA Between the years of 1935 and 1960, 400,000 American workers were killed by work related accidents; 50 million suffered disabling injuries on the job. During the 1960’s, disabling injuries increased by 20%; 14,000 workers dying each year. On December 29th of 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act was signed by President Richard Nixon. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces workplace and health standards. OSHA’s authority issues safety and health standards. It also conducts inspections and investigations, issues citations and imposes penalties. OSHA requires employers to keep records pertinent to safety and health. It also requires employers to provide a safe place of employment. OSHA believes the key to safety is the line supervisor, but motivation from top management is essential as well. OSHA is responsible for approving or rejecting state programs. Businesses are required to keep records if they have eleven employees or more. The records must established at each single physical location where business is conducted or where services are performed, if kept centrally, they must be readily available. Records must be kept on all occupational injuries that result in death, loss consciousness, restriction of work or motion, transfer to another job, and medical treatment other than first aid. OSHA officers may inspect the work place without advance notice. Employee representation is not required, but is advised to accompany the officer and take notes. Employer has the right to see the officer’s credentials. The OSHA officer must hold an opening conference and explain the purpose of his/her visit. Employers are entitled to a closing conference. Violation of OSHA laws can result in penalties. Penalties can be reduced if good faith effort and cooperation are shown. Citations must be posted where the alleged violation took place. A “Notice of Contest” must be filed within fifteen working days after you receive the citation posting requirements or else you will be banned from contesting. Also, an informal conference must be filed within the same fifteen days, and you can present a case before an ALJ if you do not agree with the outcome of the informal conference. OSHA was created to reduce the risk and the chances of death or disabling injuries while on the job or at the work place, for all working American people. Although death and disabling injuries still occur in the work place, the numbers have greatly decreased since the Occupational Safety and Health Act was sign in 1970.