OSHA Record Keeping and Reporting

Questions and Answers

What was the main purpose of the OSH Act according to the given text?

To minimize the number of workplace accidents and occupational diseases

How many deaths, on average, were caused by workplace accidents before the OSH Act was passed?

14,000 deaths

What was the approximate number of new cases of occupational diseases reported annually before the OSH Act?

300,000 cases

What did Congress aim to do in developing the OSH Act?

Preserve human resources Signup and view all the answers

What did the OSH Act consider when it was developed?

Yearly statistics Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the OSH Act according to the given text?

To assure safe and healthful working conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the closing conference in an OSHA workplace inspection?

To have an open discussion between the officer and company & employee representatives Signup and view all the answers

What does a citation do in the context of OSHA?

Informs the employer of OSHA violations Signup and view all the answers

What type of violation has a high probability of causing death or serious physical injury?

Serious violation Signup and view all the answers

What is the penalty for a willful violation?

$5,000 for each violation Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition may a proposed penalty for a willful violation be adjusted downward?

Size of the business and its history of previous violations Signup and view all the answers

What type of violation is found on reinspection with a substantially similar violation?

Repeat violation Signup and view all the answers

What services does OSHA provide to help employers meet safety & health standards?

Consultation services Signup and view all the answers

Who provides consultation services under OSHA?

Professional safety & health consultants who are not OSHA employees Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Voluntary Protection Programs (VPPs)?

To recognize companies that have incorporated safety & health programs into their overall management system Signup and view all the answers

What do companies participating in Voluntary Protection Programs (VPPs) get exempt from?

Regular programmed OSHA inspections Signup and view all the answers

What do Repeat violations lead to?

Fines assessed—result of citations. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the employer responsibilities under the OSH Act?

Provide a workplace free from hazards causing, or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT an employer responsibility under the OSH Act?

Provide entertainment facilities for employees Signup and view all the answers

What must employers do with the standards, rules, and regulations issued under the OSH Act?

Be knowledgeable of, and comply with them Signup and view all the answers

When should employers report any fatal accident or one that results in injury to the nearest OSHA office?

Within 8 hours Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an employer responsibility under the OSH Act?

Be knowledgeable of, and comply with standards Signup and view all the answers

What should employers do with operating procedures under the OSH Act?

Establish or update them and communicate them so that employees follow safety & health requirements Signup and view all the answers

What is an employer responsible for in relation to tools & equipment under the OSH Act?

Ensuring employees have and use safe tools & equipment that is properly maintained Signup and view all the answers

What must employers do in relation to medical examinations under the OSH Act?

Provide medical examinations when required by OSHA Signup and view all the answers

What should employers do with the training required by OSHA standards?

Provide the training required by OSHA standards Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT an employer responsibility under the OSH Act regarding workplace conditions?

Maintain unsafe workplace conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of OSHA's record-keeping and reporting process?

To improve workplace safety and health by identifying and addressing potential issues Signup and view all the answers

In response to employer complaints, what did OSHA initiate to improve the record-keeping and reporting process?

A dialogue among stakeholders to improve the process Signup and view all the answers

How long must employers maintain injury and illness records as per OSHA requirements?

Three years Signup and view all the answers

When must OSHA Form 301 be completed for a recordable injury or illness?

Within 7 days Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an exception to OSHA's record-keeping and reporting requirements?

Employers with 10 or fewer employees Signup and view all the answers

What must employers provide to employees upon request, according to OSHA regulations?

Copies of the OSH Act and any OSHA rules that may concern them Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of OSHA compliance officers conducting inspections unannounced?

Fine, imprisonment, or both for prior notice Signup and view all the answers

What are OSHA compliance officers authorized to do after presenting their credentials to the person in charge?

Enter any site, location, or facility where work is taking place Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the opening conference conducted by OSHA compliance officers during workplace inspections?

To explain why the plant was selected for inspection Signup and view all the answers

What must be reported as per OSHA requirements if it results in one or more days away from work?

One or more days away from work Signup and view all the answers

What is the main mission and purpose of OSHA as summarized in the text?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which employers are exempt from OSHA inspection and not required to maintain injury/illness records?

Employers with 10 or fewer employees Signup and view all the answers

What does the general duty clause of the OSH Act require employers to provide?

A workplace free from any hazards that are likely to harm employees Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between OSHA standards and regulations?

Standards address specific hazards, while regulations are more generic Signup and view all the answers

In what publication are OSHA standards included?

Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances is OSHA empowered to pass temporary emergency standards?

When there are imminent dangers from exposure to hazards not already covered Signup and view all the answers

How can a standard, either permanent or temporary, be appealed?

Filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals serving the geographic region in which the complainant lives or does business Signup and view all the answers

What entities are exempted from OSH Act coverage?

"Persons who are self-employed" Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for OSHA when adopting, amending, or revising standards?

Conduct a public hearing on a proposed rule or rule change upon request by any interested party Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of filing one or more appeals against a standard?

It has no impact on the enforcement of the standard Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances may an employer be unable to comply with a new standard by its effective date?

When technological constraints prevent compliance with the new standard Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

OSH Act Overview

The main purpose of the OSH Act was to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women.
Before the OSH Act, approximately 14,000 job-related deaths occurred annually, and around 2.5 million new cases of occupational diseases were reported.
Congress aimed to provide a safe and healthy work environment by developing the OSH Act.

OSH Act Development

The OSH Act considered the gravity of hazards, the likelihood of accidents, and the prevalence of diseases.

OSHA Inspections

The purpose of the closing conference is to discuss the findings and any citations or penalties with the employer.
A citation is issued when a workplace violation is found, and it outlines the violation, abatement, and proposed penalty.

Violations and Penalties

Willful violations have a high probability of causing death or serious physical injury.
The penalty for a willful violation is a minimum of $9,000 and up to $126,000.
A proposed penalty for a willful violation can be adjusted downward if the employer has a good faith effort to comply.
Repeat violations lead to increased penalties.

OSHA Services

OSHA provides consultation services to help employers meet safety and health standards.
Consultation services are provided by state consultants.
The purpose of Voluntary Protection Programs (VPPs) is to recognize and reward outstanding safety and health management systems.
Companies participating in VPPs are exempt from programmed inspections.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy work environment.
Employers must comply with the standards, rules, and regulations issued under the OSH Act.
Employers must report any fatal accident or one that results in injury to the nearest OSHA office within 8 hours.
Employers must maintain injury and illness records, provide training, and ensure operating procedures are in place.