| Occupational Safety and Health Act |
| Quick Links |
| State Labor Sites |
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) establishes a system of laws to promote and
regulate workplace safety. It also created the Occupation Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), a federal agency operated under the authority of the Department of Labor (DOL). OSHA
is responsible for developing, promoting, and enforcing regulations that fulfill the purpose of the
OSH Act.
OSHA fulfills its enforcement obligations in two ways. First, it enforces the OSH Act's general
duty clause. That clause states that an employer "shall furnish to each of its employees
conditions of employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are
causing or are likely to cause death or serious injury or harm to its employees.” Second, OSHA
enforces regulations which require employers to undertake specific safety and health
precautions.
Monetary penalties for OSHA violations are as follows:
(a) Other than serious violations – up to $7,000.
(b) Serious violations – up to $7,000
(c) Willful violations – up to $70,000
(d) Repeated violations – up to $70,000
(e) Failure to abate – up to $7,000 per day
OSHA will reduce these penalties depending on the circumstances surrounding the violation.
The OSH Act, in addition to creating OSHA, also granted states the right to assume some or all
of the responsibility to regulate workplace safety and health within their boundaries. Currently,
25 states exercise some level control over occupational safety and health in their states.
Twenty-one states have assumed complete responsibility for occupational safety and health
within their borders.
The following is a list of the states that have assumed some or total control over workplace
safety and health.
regulate workplace safety. It also created the Occupation Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), a federal agency operated under the authority of the Department of Labor (DOL). OSHA
is responsible for developing, promoting, and enforcing regulations that fulfill the purpose of the
OSH Act.
OSHA fulfills its enforcement obligations in two ways. First, it enforces the OSH Act's general
duty clause. That clause states that an employer "shall furnish to each of its employees
conditions of employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are
causing or are likely to cause death or serious injury or harm to its employees.” Second, OSHA
enforces regulations which require employers to undertake specific safety and health
precautions.
Monetary penalties for OSHA violations are as follows:
(a) Other than serious violations – up to $7,000.
(b) Serious violations – up to $7,000
(c) Willful violations – up to $70,000
(d) Repeated violations – up to $70,000
(e) Failure to abate – up to $7,000 per day
OSHA will reduce these penalties depending on the circumstances surrounding the violation.
The OSH Act, in addition to creating OSHA, also granted states the right to assume some or all
of the responsibility to regulate workplace safety and health within their boundaries. Currently,
25 states exercise some level control over occupational safety and health in their states.
Twenty-one states have assumed complete responsibility for occupational safety and health
within their borders.
The following is a list of the states that have assumed some or total control over workplace
safety and health.
Government Resources:
*State that have only assumed partial responsibility for occupational
safety and health. This partial assumption of responsibility is generally
extended only to state and local public sector workplaces.
safety and health. This partial assumption of responsibility is generally
extended only to state and local public sector workplaces.
Articles and Cases:
|
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| EmploymentLawHandbook.com |
| Your Employment and Labor Law Resource |
| E |
| L |
| H |
If you do not find the answer to your question through this summaries or links below, feel
free to contact us with your question. We'll do our best to help you find the answer you are
looking for.
free to contact us with your question. We'll do our best to help you find the answer you are
looking for.
Disclaimer
This site is not intended to constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Additionally, no
attorney-client relationship has been created by your visiting and reading this site. Please consult a legal
professional before taking any action you believe may result in liability or litigation. Nothing on this site creates
an express or implied contract. While efforts are made to present only accurate and current information, laws
can and do change and interpretations vary among jurisdictions, so all information is presented on an “as-is”
basis. This site is for informational purposes only.
This site is not intended to constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Additionally, no
attorney-client relationship has been created by your visiting and reading this site. Please consult a legal
professional before taking any action you believe may result in liability or litigation. Nothing on this site creates
an express or implied contract. While efforts are made to present only accurate and current information, laws
can and do change and interpretations vary among jurisdictions, so all information is presented on an “as-is”
basis. This site is for informational purposes only.
