Employee and Employer Rights and Responsibilities
Every business requires an employee for it continuous growth. However, before hiring an employee, companies in the United States should be aware of the following responsibilities that they should comply under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
• An employer must provide its employees with a workplace that is free from hazard that comply with the standards, rules and regulations issued by the OSHA Act.
• The company must examine its workplace conditions to make sure that they abide with the applicable OSHA standards.
• The employer must make sure that their employees are using the provided safety tools and equipment, and has properly maintained as well.
• Color codes, posters, labels or safety signs must also be visible in the workplace to warn employees for possible hazards.
• Operating procedures must be updated all the time and communicate it with their employees in order for them to follow safety and health requirements.
• When required by OSHA standards, employer must provide medical examinations and training.
• Make sure that the OSHA poster or the state plan equivalent is posted in a prominent or visible area to inform employees about their rights and responsibilities.
• If any fatal accident happens, or incidents that result in hospitalization of three or more employees, employer must report the incident to the nearest OSHA office within 8 hours.
• A record of work related injuries and illness must be kept in file, however employers who have 10 or less employees and in low hazard industries are exempted from this requirement. And provide their employees, former employees and their representatives access to the log of the said work related injuries and illness.
• For the year 2002, post a copy of the totals from the last page of the 200 log during the whole month of February 2002.
• Allow employee or their authorized representative to have access to the employee’s medical records.
• OSHA compliance officer must be provided with the list of authorized employee representatives who will accompany the officer during the inspection.
• Employers must not discriminate against employees who are exercising their right under the Act.
• OSHA citations must be posted at or near the work area, and each citation must remain posted until correction has been made for such violation or for three working days whichever is longer.
• Employer must correct any cited violations by the deadline set in the OSHA citation and submit the required documentation for abtement veritfication.
On the other hand, if Employers has responsibilities to follow, employee has their own responsibilities as well. Included in the said employee responsibilities are the following:
• All employees are required to read the OSHA poster at the working area.
• They must comply with all the applicable OSHA standards.
• They are required to abide all the lawful safety and health rules and regulations set by their employers and wear or use the prescribed protective gear provided while working.
• Must report any hazardous conditions to the immediate supervisor, in addition must report as well any job related injury or illness and ask for treatment promptly.
• Lastly, all employees must exercise their rights under the Act in a responsible manner.