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1: Employer and Employee Workplace Rights and Responsibilities
- Employer Rights and Responsibilities. The Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) is administered by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA). This Act covers all private sector employers and their employees
either directly through Federal OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state plan. Employers
covered by the OSH Act must comply with the regulations and the safety and health standards
promulgated by OSHA. Employers have certain responsibilities under the OSH Act and also have
a general duty under the OSH Act to provide a workplace free from recognized, serious
hazards.
- Worker Rights. You have a right to a safe workplace. The Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires employers to provide a workplace that is free from
recognized hazards and to comply with occupational safety and health standards.
Every worker has the right to go home whole and healthy every day. Workers have the right to
seek safe and healthful conditions on the job without fear of punishment. OSHA requires all
employers to display the OSHA poster (or state plan equivalent) in a prominent location in
the workplace informing employees of their rights and protections.
NOTE: States
with OSHA-approved state plans (24 states and two territories, including four state plans
limited to public sector employees) provide at least the same rights and protections (and in
some cases additional rights) to workers, although they may follow slightly different
procedures.
- Worker Responsibilities. Although OSHA does not cite employees
for violations of their responsibilities, each employee "shall comply with all occupational
safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued under the Act" that
are applicable. Employee responsibilities and rights in states with their own occupational
safety and health programs are generally the same as those for workers in states covered by
Federal OSHA.
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