OSHA Regulations: An Overview
The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act was created in 1970 with the goal of assuring safe and healthful working conditions for all working Americans. The Act authorizes the U.S. Secretary of Labor to issue occupational health and safety standards that apply to each employer in the private sector. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for creating and enforcing the regulations required by the OSH Act.
Employers Covered by OSHA Regulations
OSHA regulations cover all private-sector employers with one or more workers in all states and U.S. territories. OSHA regulations do not cover employers in the public sector (municipal, county, state, or federal government agencies); self-employed individuals; family members operating a farm; or domestic household workers.
The term “private sector employer” applies to any business with one or more employees engaged in a commercial or noncommercial activity that affects commerce. This definition includes not-for-profit organizations. For churches and other religious organizations, OSHA regulations make a distinction between secular and religious activities. Secular activities, such as private schools operated by religious organizations, are covered under the definition of “employer.” But religious activities, such as those performed during services, are not covered by OSHA regulations.
State OSHA Regulations
OSHA regulations encourage states to develop their own safety and health plans, but an individual state’s OSHA plans are required to be at least as stringent as the federal OSH Act and must be approved by federal OSHA. Currently, 23 states and territories, called “state plan” states, have their own plans, which apply to both private and public sectors, and preempt federal OSHA regulations.
Under the OSHA regulations, a state must conduct inspections to enforce its safety and health standards, cover public employees, and operate occupational safety and health training and education programs.
OSHA Regulations for Safety
OSHA safety standards address the aspects of the work environment that can cause immediate harm, such as burns, electrical shock, broken bones, loss of limbs, loss of eyesight, or death. OSHA regulations for safety cover many areas, including:
- Compressed gas and compressed air equipment
- Confined spaces
- Control of hazardous energy
- Electrical wiring and equipment
- Environmental control
- Exits
- Fire protection
- Guarding and operating machinery
- Hand and portable power tools and handheld equipment
- Hazardous materials
- Materials handling and storage
- Medical and first aid
- Personal protective equipment
- Welding, cutting, and brazing
- Working and walking surfaces
OSHA Regulations for Health
The majority of OSHA’s health regulations relate to indoor air quality. OSHA has established permissible exposure limits (PEL) for a variety of air contaminants. OSHA regulations for health require medical surveillance, recordkeeping, monitoring/measurement, and physical exams.
OSHA regulations require ventilation and exhaust system measures to dilute air contaminants, prevent their release into the work environment, or to provide oxygen where necessary to protect health.