The core Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements are established by the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, which mandates that employers provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. This covers protection against toxic chemicals, infectious agents, mechanical dangers, excessive noise, temperature extremes, and other dangerous conditions[1].
Employers must comply with all relevant OSHA standards, which set out specific rules for protecting workers from hazards. These include requirements related to personal protective equipment, emergency procedures, hazard communication, risk assessment, training, and maintaining workplace safety documentation[4]. Employees are also responsible for complying with safety procedures relevant to their job duties[1].
Key OHS requirements include:
- Hazard identification and risk assessment: Employers must systematically assess workplace hazards, determine who may be affected, evaluate risk levels, and implement appropriate control measures. Risk assessments should be documented and updated as necessary[2].
- Implementation of safety controls: Controls must address identified hazards, such as through engineering solutions, administrative policies, training, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)[4].
- Communication and training: Safety information must be clearly communicated across all organization levels and appropriate safety training must be provided to employees[1].
- Recordkeeping and compliance: Employers are required to maintain records of injuries, illnesses, inspections, and related safety activities. They must also ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal safety regulations[7].
- Continual improvement: Organizations are encouraged to adopt management systems (such as ISO 45001) that incorporate a cycle of planning, implementation, review, and continual improvement in occupational health and safety performance[3].
Compliance with these requirements is monitored through regular inspections, and failure to meet standards can result in legal or financial penalties. Best practices and standards (like ISO 45001) encourage organizations to go beyond mere compliance by integrating safety into all business processes, fostering a culture of prevention, and striving for continuous enhancement of worker health and safety[3].
References
- [1] The Occupational Safety and Health Act and OSHA Standards – CDC
- [2] Occupational safety and health – Wikipedia
- [3] ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational health and safety management …
- [4] 1910 | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- [7] Law and Regulations | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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