All employers have an obligation to maintain safe and healthy work environments. Complying with worker health and safety requirements not only reduces the risk of employee injuries and costly legal consequences for your business, but it’s also an essential part of creating a positive work culture and promoting morale. In this blog post, we’ll examine some of the legal safety standards that commonly impact employers, the importance of training employees to follow safety protocols, and how to keep your worksites safe and legally compliant.
OSH and OSHA
Created by the Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Act of 1070, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is tasked with ensuring safe and healthful work environments. They carry out this duty by creating and enforcing safety standards as well as providing training, education and assistance to employers and workers. Generally speaking, the OSH Act requires employers to keep work environments free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause serious harm to their workers. It also requires employees to utilize safety and personal protective equipment and establishes the right of workers to report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation.
Specific OSHA requirements vary by industry. However, the following apply to most employers:
- Clear communication about any hazardous chemicals to which employees may be exposed, including information about how to safely handle chemicals and protect themselves
- A fire prevention plan and established fire exit routes as well as an emergency action plan that details actions employees should take in case of a fire or other emergency situation
- Taking specific steps to prevent falls in the workplace
- A workplace medical and first-aid program appropriate to address hazards that are present in the workplace
Additional requirements apply to businesses where, for example, employees operate dangerous machinery, are exposed to hazards that can be mitigated by use of personal protective equipment, or are exposed to excessive noise.
OSHA Penalties
Running afoul of OSHA requirements can carry significant penalties—especially for serious or repeated violations. As of January 2024, serious infractions carry a minimum penalty of $1,190 per violation. If a serious violation is deemed willful or is repeated, the minimum fine skyrockets to $11,524. While an other-than-serious violation may not initially result in a fine, it can quickly result in thousands of dollars in penalties if repeated. Serious offenders that fail to abate problems can face fines of $16,131 per day of continued violation. These amounts are adjusted annually for inflation.
The Importance of Employee Safety Training
OSHA requires employers to provide appropriate safety training to employees in a language they understand. Many OSHA standards include specific training obligations to ensure employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to do their jobs safely. By providing appropriate safety training, employers can prevent illnesses and injuries, keep insurance premiums as low as possible, and improve employee morale.
Safety training should address any specific known hazards present in the workplace and steps employees must take to prevent harm to themselves and others. This includes instruction on the proper use of personal protective equipment, illness and injury prevention plans, and emergency plans and procedures. Trainings should be repeated to ensure this knowledge remains up to date and fresh in employees’ minds. Additionally, it’s important to document and retain records of all workplace safety trainings. In the event of an accident, the OSHA incident investigator will want to verify that the involved employees were provided appropriate safety training.
Maintaining Workplace Health & Safety
To ensure your worksites remain in compliance will all applicable regulations, it’s useful to enlist the help of risk mitigation experts. Employer Solutions Staffing Group (ESSG) specializes in supporting businesses with comprehensive back-office solutions, including risk mitigation. Our OSHA-trained risk management professionals can guide you through the steps of ensuring compliance and minimizing the risk of accidents. If an accident does occur, we act quickly to help you resolve workers’ compensation claims and prevent future incidents. With the support of experienced workplace safety experts, you can be confident that your employees and your business are protected.
Learn more about ESSG’s comprehensive suite of back-office solutions, or find more tips for reducing risk and streamlining operations on our blog.
