How can OSHA help new businesses?
Starting a new business can be challenging.
OSHA can help by explaining the federal
regulatory requirements concerning safety and
health and help you create a safe and healthful
workplace for your employees that conforms to
federal law. States with OSHA-approved state
plans have adopted standards equivalent to
OSHA’s. For additional information, visit us
online at www.osha.gov.
What are your responsibilities as an
employer?
Under the provisions of the Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( OSH Act), as
the employer, you must provide a workplace free
from recognized hazards that are causing, or are
likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to
your employees regardless of the size of your
business. You must comply with OSHA
standards and regulations under the OSH Act.
You must also be familiar with those OSHA
standards and regulations that apply to your
workplace and make copies of them available to
employees upon request.
Are employers required to maintain
records of injuries and illnesses?
Yes. Most businesses with 11 or more
employees at any time during the calendar year
must maintain records of occupational injuries and
illnesses as they occur using OSHA Form 300,
Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. Such
recordkeeping is not required for employers in
most retail trade, finance, insurance, real estate,
and service industries.
Must employers display OSHA safety
and health information in the
workplace?
Yes. You must display OSHA’s Safe and
Healthful Workplaces poster (OSHA 3165 or the
state equivalent) in a conspicuous location in your
workplace where workers and prospective
employees can see it. This publication informs
employees of their rights and responsibilities
under the OSH Act.
Are employers required to
communicate information about
hazardous chemicals in the workplace
to their employees?
Yes. Employers must inform their workers
about the dangers of chemical hazards in their
workplaces and train their employees regarding
proper safeguards. This includes providing
information on the hazards and identities of
chemicals employees may be exposed to on the
job and describing protective measures to
prevent adverse effects. Chemical producers and
importers must evaluate their products for
chemical hazards and provide hazard information
to customers.
Is your business subject to inspection?
All businesses covered by the OSH Act must
comply with federal workplace safety and health
standards, or comparable state standards, if the
workplace is under the jurisdiction of a state
agency administering an OSHA-approved safety
and health plan. Every establishment covered by
the OSH Act is subject to inspection by federal or
state compliance safety and health officers who
are chosen for their knowledge and experience in
the occupational safety and health field. OSHA
conducts workplace inspections of businesses in
federal jurisdictions, and OSHA-approved state
plans are responsible for conducting workplace
inspections of businesses under state jurisdiction
to enforce their own standards that are “at least
as effective” as federal requirements.
What services are available from
OSHA to help you?
OSHA’s Area Office staffs provide advice,
education, and assistance to business
(particularly small employers), trade associations,
local labor affiliates, and other stakeholders who
request help with occupational safety and health
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2002
This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting
OSHA programs, policies, or standards. It does not impose
any new compliance requirements or carry the force of legal
opinion. For compliance requirements of OSHA standards or
regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
This information will be made available to sensory-impaired
individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999. See also
OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.
issues. They work with professional
organizations, unions, and community groups
concerning issues of safety and health in the
workplace. In addition, OSHA offers the
following services:
¦ Consultation - Employers who want on-site
assistance in identifying and correcting hazards
and in improving safety and health programs
can get help from a free and confidential
consultation service largely funded by OSHA
and delivered by state consultation staffs.
¦ Instruction - Training courses in safety and
health subjects are available to the private
sector through the OSHA Training Institute in
Des Plaines, IL, and at 12 education centers
throughout the nation. For locations, visit
OSHA’s Office of Training and Education online
at http://www.osha-slc.gov/fso/ote/training/
edcenters/edcenter_contact.html.
¦ Publications - Various publications are on-line
at www.osha.gov to help small businesses
comply with OSHA requirements.
¦ Partnership - In a partnership, OSHA enters
into an extended, voluntary, cooperative
relationship with groups of employers,
employees, and employee representatives to
encourage, assist, and recognize their efforts to
eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high
level of worker safety and health.
How can I get more information?
You can find more information about help for
new businesses, including the full text of OSHA’s
standards, on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.
OSHA’s rules and standards are in Title 29 of the
Code of Federal Regulations ( CFR) Parts 1900-
1910, 1915, 1917, 1918, 1926, and 1928.
To file a complaint by phone, report an
emergency, or get OSHA advice, assistance, or
products, contact your nearest OSHA office under
the “U.S. Department of Labor” listing in your
phone book, or call (800) 321-OSHA (6742);
teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.
To file a complaint online or obtain more
information on OSHA federal and state programs,
visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.
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