Trade News Release
Wednesday, May 30, 2001
Contact: Lydia Kleiner
PHONE: (202) 693-1999

WORKPLACE POSTERS ARE AVAILABLE FREE - DESPITE MISLEADING ADVERTISING

Advertisements suggesting that OSHA workplace posters must be purchased from private companies to avoid fines may be misleading employers. OSHA reminds employers that its official posters are available free for the asking.

The official OSHA poster was redesigned last year to make it easier to read and understand. The new poster, called "It's the Law!" is available in English and Spanish. Employers need not replace older posters with the new ones, if they prefer to use them. Employers are required to display one of the two posters in a prominent location.

The OSHA poster informs workers of their rights to a safe and healthful workplace, how to file a complaint, report an emergency, and seek OSHA advice, and advises them of their right to confidentiality. It also lists the toll free number for OSHA, 800-321-OSHA, as well as phone numbers for regional OSHA offices around the country.

For a copy of OSHA's poster, visit OSHA's website at http://www.osha-slc.gov/Publications/poster.html. For the Spanish version, see http://www.osha-slc.gov/Publications/poster2.html. Employers can order multiple copies online by visiting www.osha.gov, then Newsroom, then Publications. Complete the order form online, and fax your request to Publications at (202) 693-2498. You can also call (202) 698-1888 or write to: U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA, OSHA Publications, P.O. Box 37535 Washington, D.C. 20013-7535.

Note: the downloadable poster is in Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format). In order to access PDF files, you must have the 3.x or higher version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free of charge from Adobe Software.

Editor's Note: Employers in states operating OSHA-approved state plans should obtain and post the state's equivalent poster if there is one.