{"id":357933,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/workplace-safety\/osha-faqs.html"},"modified":"2025-08-13T14:51:33","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T19:51:33","slug":"osha-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/workplace-safety\/osha-faqs.html","title":{"rendered":"OSHA Questions and Answers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Frequently Asked Questions About OSHA<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays an important role in protecting workers’ rights to a safe workplace. This agency aims to prevent work-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths by setting and enforcing standards to ensure worker protection and a healthy workplace. Whether you are an employee or an employer, it is important to understand how OSHA works and its impact.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

This article answers some of the frequently asked questions (FAQ) about OSHA’s functions, workers’ rights, and employers’ duties.<\/p>\n

General Information About OSHA<\/h2>\n

There’s a lot to know about\u00a0about the general functions and impact of the\u00a0Occupational Safety and Health Administration<\/a>. Let’s take a look.<\/p>\n

What is OSHA?<\/h2>\n

The\u00a0Occupational Safety and Health Administration<\/a>, otherwise known as OSHA, is a federal agency that sets national standards to secure the health and safety of American workers. Its mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.<\/p>\n

Congress created this agency through the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, and OSHA began operations in 1971. Since then, occupational deaths have been cut by about 60%, and injuries have declined by 42%.<\/p>\n

What does OSHA regulate?<\/h3>\n

OSHA regulates safety and health standards in the workplace. It is responsible for setting and enforcing the rules to ensure\u00a0safe working conditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

OSHA also offers education, outreach, assistance, and training to employers and employees. These trainings aim to help them understand how to comply with these rules and prevent them from suffering injuries and health issues in the workplace.<\/p>\n

Understanding Workplace Hazards<\/h1>\n

It’s helpful to understand what constitutes a\u00a0workplace hazard\u00a0and the protections that OSHA requires for employers to provide.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is the definition of a workplace hazard?<\/h3>\n

OSHA defines a\u00a0workplace hazard<\/a>\u00a0as any source of possible harm, damage, or adverse health impact on someone or something in workplace conditions. This includes:<\/p>\n