Purpose

• The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in order to enforce rules and regulations when it comes to workplace safety in order to prevent work-related injuries. In short, every employee is entitled to a safe and hazard-free work environment. OSHA also supplies training, assistance, and information to both employers and employees in regards to workplace safety in order to prevent work related injuries. Employers must report all workplace injuries to OSHA.
  
  

Employers

• Work-related injuries must be reported to OSHA.broken wrist image by askthegeek from Fotolia.com
  
  Under the guidelines set forth by OSHA, employers must make all employees aware of any dangerous chemicals or conditions in the workplace. They must also keep records of any and all injuries or illnesses that occur due to the work environment. All information regarding injuries, illness or OSHA citations must be posted clearly for employees to see. In the event of death or an accident that results in three or more workers being hospitalized, employers must contact OSHA within eight hours.
  
  

Inspectors

• Anyone who owns or operates a business, as well as the employees who work for that business, has the right to go along with an OSHA inspector as she inspects the work environment. Employees also may speak with the inspectors both before and after the inspection takes place. If violations are discovered, OSHA inspectors may issue citations, fines or both. Employers found in violation will be given a deadline to fix any problems. Employers, however, do have the right to contest any citations handed out.
  
  

Discrimination

• Employees may report discrimination to OSHA within 30 days of an incident.lorbeerkranz 30 image by pdesign from Fotolia.com
  
  Employees have the right to report any dangerous working conditions or work related injuries to OSHA without fear of losing their job or being discriminated against in any way. Discrimination includes being denied a raise or promotion, or having your working hours reduced. Anyone who feels he has been discriminated against for reporting unsafe working conditions must file a complaint with OSHA within 30 days of the incident.
  
  

Limitations

• Anyone who is self-employed is not protected by OSHA in the event of an injury.berliner business image by Anja Greiner Adam from Fotolia.com
  
  While OSHA protects most employees in the United States who are injured at work, it does not cover them all. Those who opt to be self-employed are not covered by OSHA, nor are workers who are already covered by another Federal Agency. For example, OSHA does not protect workers who are covered by the Mine Safety and Health Administration or the FAA. OSHA also doesn't protect any immediate family member of a farmer who does not employee help outside of his family.