OSHA Online Outreach Course Materials
Module 1: Introduction to OSHA
OSHA mandates that students spend a specific amount of time in each module of this course. In
order to comply with OSHA’s requirement, additional resources related to this module’s
content are provided below. You should also consider reviewing the Fact Sheet for this module,
which is located at the end of this resource list.
When the minimum required time for this module has elapsed, you will be allowed to proceed
to the next module.
CAUTION: When closing resource links, take care to not close your course browser window,
as that will stop the module timer.
Module 1: Introduction to OSHA
Title
URL
Topic 1
Weekly Fatality/
Catastrophe
Reports
OSHA Fact Sheet
State – Job Safety
and Health
Program
OSH Act of 1970
Why is OSHA Important to You?
http://www.osha.gov/dep/fatcat/dep_fatcat.html
Topic 2
OSHA Workplace
Poster
Hazard
Communication
Training
Requirements
Imminent Danger
Fact Sheet
Complaint Form
(OSHA-7)
Whistleblower Fact
Sheet
Imminent Danger
Fact Sheet
Refusing to Work
Because Conditions
are Dangerous
What rights do you have under OSHA?
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3165.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/jobsafetyandhealthfactsheet.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owasrch.search_form?p_doc_type=OSHACT&
p_toc_level=0&p_keyvalue=
http://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/whatishazcom.html
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha2254.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-imminentdanger.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/oshforms/osha7.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/whistleblower_rights.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-imminentdanger.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/refuse.html
© 2012 Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. All rights reserved.
OSHA Online Outreach Course Materials
Module 1: Introduction to OSHA
Module 1: Introduction to OSHA
Title
URL
Topic 3
Training
Requirements in
OSHA Standards
and Training
Guidelines
OSHA
Recordkeeping
Forms
Employer Provided
PPE
Topic 4
OSHA Standards
What responsibilities does your employer have under OSHA?
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha2254.pdf
How to Read the
OSHA Standards
General Duty
Clause
http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/intro_osha/8b_construction.pdf
OSHA Web Site
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owasrch.search_form?p_doc_type=STANDAR
DS&p_toc_level=1&p_keyvalue=Construction
General Duty
Clause Violations
Most Frequently
Cited Standards
http://www.osha.gov/oshstats/index.html
Topic 5
NIOSH
How are OSHA inspections conducted?
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh
Topic 6
Navigating the
OSHA Website
OSHA Website
Links
Where can you go for help?
http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/intro_osha/10_navigating_osha_website.pdf
Safety & Health
Resources
http://search.usa.gov/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&sc=0&query=Handout+%239&lo
cale=en&m=&embedded=&affiliate=usdoloshapublicwebsite&filter=moderate
OTI Education
http://www.osha.gov/dte/edcenters/index.html
http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/RKforms.html
http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/intro_osha/7_employee_ppe.pdf
What do OSHA standards say?
• http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_l
evel=1&p_part_number=1910
• http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_part
_number=1926&p_toc_level=1
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=3359&p_tabl
e=OSHACT
http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/citedstandard.html
• http://www.osha.gov
• http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/toc_fact.html
• http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/quickcards.html
© 2012 Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. All rights reserved.
OSHA Online Outreach Course Materials
Module 1: Introduction to OSHA
Module 1: Introduction to OSHA
Title
URL
Centers
COSH Groups
Identifying Safety
and Health
Problems in the
Workplace
Tips for Completing
the OSHA-7 Form
http://www.coshnetwork.org/
http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/intro_osha/11_s_h_problems.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/intro_osha/12b_filing_complaint_constructio
n.pdf
© 2012 Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. All rights reserved.
FactSheet
Module 1: Introduction to OSHA
In this module, we cover introductory material about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA). This module provides basic knowledge of OSHA’s history and mission, worker rights under
OSHA, employer responsibilities under OSHA, OSHA standards, OSHA inspections, and safety and health
resources, including how to file an OSHA complaint.
Module Objectives
Terminal Objective
Given OSHA historical events and current information, the
student will be able to explain the importance of OSHA in
providing a safe and healthful workplace to workers
covered by OSHA.
Enabling Objectives
Specifically, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Explain why OSHA is important to workers.
Explain worker rights under OSHA.
Discuss employer responsibilities under OSHA.
Discuss the use of OSHA standards.
Explain how OSHA inspections are conducted.
Utilize helpful worker safety and health resources.
•
•
•
•
•
What Responsibilities Does Your
Employer Have Under OSHA?
Your employer has the following responsibilities
under OSHA:
•
•
•
•
Why is OSHA Important to You?
The mission of OSHA is to save lives, prevent injuries, and
protect the health of America’s workers.
•
OSHA is important to you because:
•
•
•
OSHA protects your health and safety in
the workplace
It establishes a uniform, federal set of rules
and regulations
It is committed to providing a safer work environment
What Rights Do You Have Under OSHA?
Under OSHA, you have the right to:
•
•
•
•
A safe and healthful workplace
Knowledge about hazardous chemicals
Information about injuries and illnesses in
your workplace
Complain or request hazard correction from employer
Training
Hazard exposure records and medical records
File a complaint with OSHA
Participate in an OSHA inspection
Freedom from retaliation for exercising safety and
health rights
•
•
Provide a workplace free from recognized hazards
and comply with OSHA standards.
Provide training required by OSHA standards.
Keep records of injuries and illnesses.
Provide medical exams when required by OSHA
standards and provide workers access to their
exposure and medical records.
Not discriminate against workers who exercise their
rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Act
(Section 11(c)).
Post OSHA citations and abatement verification
notices.
Provide and pay for personal protective
equipment (PPE).
What do the OSHA Standards Say?
OSHA standards fall into four categories: general industry,
construction, maritime, and agriculture.
OSHA issues standards for a wide variety of workplace
hazards, including:
•
•
•
Toxic substances
Electrical hazards
Fall hazards
© 2012 Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. All rights reserved.
•
•
•
•
•
Hazardous waste
Machine hazards
Infectious diseases
Fire and explosion hazards
Dangerous atmospheres
Where Can You Go for Help?
Sources within the Workplace/Worksite
There are many resources available to you if you want to
find out more information about a safety or health issue in
your workplace. Some sources are:
Where there are no specific OSHA standards, employers
must comply with the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1).
•
How are OSHA Inspections Conducted?
•
The OSH Act authorizes OSHA compliance safety and
health officers (CSHO) to conduct workplace inspections at
reasonable times.
•
•
OSHA conducts inspections without advance notice,
except in rare circumstances (for example,
imminent danger).
•
Employer or supervisor, co-workers, and union
representatives
Material safety data sheets (MSDS) for information
on chemicals
Labels and warning signs
Employee orientation manuals or other
training materials
Work tasks and procedures instruction
Anyone who tells an employer about an OSHA inspection
in advance can receive fines and a jail term.
Sources outside the Workplace/Worksite
There are many resources available to you if you want to
find information outside of your workplace. Some
sources are:
Since not all eight million worksites covered by OSHA can
be inspected, the agency has a system of inspection
priorities. The inspection priorities are:
•
•
•
1.
Imminent Danger
Imminent danger has top priority. This is a condition
where there is reasonable certainty a danger exists
that can be expected to cause death or serious
physical harm immediately (or before the danger can
be removed through normal enforcement).
2.
Fatalities and Catastrophes
Fatalities and catastrophes are next in priority.
Employers must report to OSHA any worker fatality or
the hospitalization of three or more employees. OSHA
starts these investigations as soon as possible after
getting the report.
3.
•
How to File an OSHA Complaint
If you, your co-workers or your union representative
determine that an OSHA inspection is needed to get
workplace hazards corrected, you have several options.
•
Complaints and Referrals
Complaints and referrals are OSHA’s third priority. A
worker or worker representative can file a complaint
about a safety or health hazard in the workplace.
4.
•
•
Programmed Inspections
Programmed Inspections are the fourth priority.
These inspections cover industries and employers
with high injury and illness rates, specific hazards, or
other exposures.
OSHA website: http://www.osha.gov
NIOSH website: www.cdc.gov/niosh
OTI Education Centers:
http://www.osha.gov/dte/edcenters/index.html
Doctors, nurses, and other health care providers
Public libraries have books, journals and magazines
on various safety and health topics
National Council for Occupational Safety and Health
(COSH) and local COSH groups:
http://www.coshnetwork.org/
•
•
•
You can download the complaint form from OSHA’s
website, complete it and mail or fax it to OSHA. A
written, signed complaint submitted to the OSHA
area or State Plan office is most likely to result in an
onsite inspection.
You can file a complaint online. However, most online
complaints are handled by OSHA’s phone/fax system,
which means they are resolved informally over the
phone.
You can telephone or visit your local regional or area
office to discuss your concerns.
Note that if a hazard is life-threatening, call the
Regional or local office or 1-800-321-OSHA
immediately.
© 2012 Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. All rights reserved.