Safety in the Workplace
Manufacturing Engineering
Lesson Plan
Performance Objectives
After completing this lesson, students will be able to describe employee rights and responsibilities and
employer responsibilities, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), to the teacher’s
satisfaction.
Specific Objectives
 Identify the rights and responsibilities of employees under the OSH Act.
 Discuss the responsibilities of employers to provide a safe work environment under the OSH Act.
Terms
 Retaliation- to take revenge against someone for an act (example- firing an employee for filing a
complaint with OSHA against their employer)
 Discrimination- restricting members of a specific group from favorable opportunities (example- not
hiring an employee because of a history of filing OSHA complaints)
 Hazard- a danger or risk in the workplace
 Work related injury- injuries that occur on the job that directly relate to one’s job duties
 Preexisting injury- an injury that took place before healthcare or insurance benefits came into effect or
before a secondary injury occurred
 Restricted work activity- a condition that requires a health care official to recommend that an ill or
injured employee avoid the routine duties of his or her job for a specific time period
 Blood-borne pathogens- a disease or illness caused by a virus or microorganism that is spread to
others by blood contamination
 Occupational Safety and Health Standard- a workplace standard that requires the use of practices or
processes; considered reasonably necessary to provide for a safe and healthy work environment
 Incident- an OSH Act-related event that occurs in the workplace involving issues like property damage,
worker injury or illness, and environmental contamination
 Citation- a documented workplace violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
Time
This lesson should take approximately 180 minutes.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the activities may result
in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
Manufacturing Engineering
 130.329 (c)
o (2) The student explores the employability characteristics of a successful worker in the global
economy. The student is expected to:
(F) demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and skills related to health and safety in the
workplace, as specified by appropriate government regulations.
Interdisciplinary Correlations
English Language Arts and Reading, English I
 110.31 (b)
o (1) Reading/Vocabulary Development. Students understand new vocabulary and use it
when reading and writing.
Occupational Correlation (O*Net – www.onetonline.org/)
Job Title: Electricians
O*Net Number: 47-2111.00
Reported Job Titles: Electrician, Maintenance Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, Inside Wireman, Control
Electrician, Electrician Technician, Industrial Electrician, Journeyman Wireman
Tasks




Maintain current electrician's license or identification card to meet governmental regulations.
Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
Test electrical systems or continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using testing
devices, such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.
Soft Skills
 Critical Thinking
 Operation Monitoring
 Active listening
 Active learning
 Troubleshooting
Accommodations for Learning Differences
It is important that lessons accommodate the needs of every learner. These lessons may be modified to
accommodate your students with learning differences by referring to the files found on the Special
Populations page of this website.
Preparation
 Review and become familiar with the terminology, website links, and the slide presentation.
 Have materials, slide presentation, and websites ready prior to the start of the lesson.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
References
 http://websters.yourdictionary.com
 http://www.thefreedictionary.com
 OSHA. US Department of Labor. (2004). Occupational safety and health act of 1970.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=OSHACT&p_id=3355
 OSHA, US Department of Labor. (2013). Workers. http://www.osha.gov/workers.html
 OSHA, US Department of Labor. (2013). Employer responsibilities.
http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/employer-responsibility.html
 OSHA, US Department of Labor (2011). OSHA worker’s rights, publication OSHA 3021-09R 2011
retrieved from http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3021.pdf
 OSHA, US Department of Labor (2013). All about OSHA, publication OSHA 3302-01R 2013 retrieved
from http://www.osha.gov/Publications/all_about_OSHA.pdf
 OSHA, US Department of Labor (2013). http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.html
Instructional Aids
 Safety in the Workplace slide presentation and notes
 Warm-up Activity (slide 3)
 Safety in the Workplace Matching Terms and Definitions handout for each student
 Safety in the Workplace Matching Terms and Definitions Answer Key
 Safety in the Workplace Poster Project
 Safety in the Workplace Poster Project Answer Key
 Safety in the Workplace Quiz for each student
 Safety in the Workplace Quiz Answer Key
Introduction
The main purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the importance of safety in the workplace,
employee rights and responsibilities, and employer responsibilities, according to the OSH Act.
Ask


Have you ever thought how effective safety practices at work can prevent worker injuries?
Do you know anyone who has been hurt at work and why the incident happened?

We will discuss safety in the workplace, employee rights and responsibilities, and employer
responsibilities according to the OSH Act.
Say
Show
 Videos or photos of workplace accidents and workplace safety equipment.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
Outline
MI
OUTLINE
I.
Introduction to lesson
A. Bell work activity
B. Warm-up activity
II.
Overview safety in the workplace
A. The Occupational Safety and Health Act
of 1970
B. Employee rights under the act
C. Employer responsibilities under the act
III.
Safety Poster Project
A. Poster worksheet review
B. Information resources
IV.
Safety in the Workplace Quiz
NOTES TO TEACHER
Begin Safety in the
Workplace slide
presentation.
Have students work on the
Bell Work Activity.
(Slide 2)
Warm-up Activity: Using
Safety in the Workplace
Matching Terms and
Definitions handout,
students (in pairs) will teach
each other the terms and
definitions. Students may
do computer-based
research to look up the
meanings.
(Slide 3)
Discuss the need for safety
in the workplace and the
purpose of the OSH Act.
(Slides 4-5)
Each slide is meant to be
discussed. Have some
background knowledge, and
challenge the students to
make some contributions to
the discussion. Ensure
students understand
employee rights and
employer responsibilities
under the OSH Act.
(Slides 6-7)
Discuss the Safety Poster
Project and resource
information.
(Slide 8)
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
Use answer key to grade the
quiz.
4
Multiple Intelligences Guide
Existentialist
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Kinesthetic/
Bodily
Logical/
Mathematical
Musical/Rhythmic
Naturalist
Verbal/Linguistic
Visual/Spatial
Application
Guided Practice
The teacher and students search the Internet to find different sources to gain insight into the following ideas:
 Unique ways workplace safety is managed within different organizations
 How companies use employee input to resolve safety issues
Independent Practice
 Students write a 50-word essay on accident prevention programs in a manufacturing environment.
 Students research the impact of accident trends in the transportation industry.
 Students will complete the Safety in the Workplace Poster Project.
Summary
Review
Students review the terms from the Warm-up Activity and key points from the Safety in the Workplace
slide presentation.
Evaluation
Informal Assessment
Teacher will assess students with questions and answers. Students will discuss terms, definitions, and key
points from the Safety in the Workplace slide presentation.
Formal Assessment
Teacher will administer the Safety in the Workplace Quiz.
Enrichment
Extension
Students will research the Internet and write a paper about Herbert William Heinrich and his contributions to
industrial accident prevention.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
5
Name______________________________________Date____________________Class_______________
Safety in the Workplace
Matching Terms and Definitions
Directions
Match the terms in Section 1 with the definitions in Section 2.
Section 1
A. Retaliation
B. Discrimination
C. Hazard
D. Work related injury
E. Preexisting injury
F. Restricted work activity
G. Blood borne pathogens
H. Occupational Safety and Health Standard
I.
Incident
J. Citation
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
6
Section 2
1. _____injuries that occur on the job that directly relate to one’s job duties
2. _____a documented workplace violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
3. _____a condition that requires a health care official to recommend that an ill or injured employee
avoid the routine duties of his or her job for a specific time period
4. _____restricting members of a specific group from favorable opportunities (example- not hiring an
employee because of a history of filing complaints with OSHA)
5. _____a workplace standard that requires the use of practices or processes, considered reasonably
necessary to provide for a safe and healthy work environment
6. _____a danger or risk in the workplace
7. _____an injury that took place before healthcare or insurance benefits came into effect or before a
secondary injury occurred
8. _____to take revenge against someone for an act (example- firing an employee for filing a complaint
with OSHA against their employer)
9. _____a disease or illness caused by a virus or microorganism that is spread to others by blood
contamination
10. _____an OSH Act-related event that occurs in the workplace involving issues like property damage,
worker injury or illness, and environmental contamination
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
7
Safety in the Workplace
Matching Terms and Definitions
Answer Key
1. D. Work related injury- injuries that occur on the job that directly relate to one’s job duties
2. J. Citation- a documented workplace violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
3. F. Restricted work activity- a condition that requires a healthcare official to recommend that an ill or
injured employee avoid the routine duties of his or her job for a specific time period
4. B. Discrimination- restricting members of a specific group from favorable opportunities (example-,
not hiring an employee because of a history of filing complaints with OSHA)
5. H. Occupational Safety and Health Standard- a workplace standard that requires the use of practices
or processes, considered reasonably necessary to provide for a safe and healthy work environment
6. C. Hazard- a danger or risk in the workplace
7. E. Preexisting injury- an injury that took place before healthcare or insurance benefits came into
effect or before a secondary injury occurred
8. A. Retaliation- to take revenge against someone for an act (example-, firing an employee for filing a
complaint with OSHA against their employer)
9. G. Blood-borne pathogens- a disease or illness caused by a virus or microorganism that is spread to
others by blood contamination
10. I. Incident- an OSH Act related event that occurs in the workplace involving issues like property
damage, worker injury or illness, and environmental contamination
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
8
Name______________________________________Date____________________Class_______________
Safety in the Workplace
Quiz
1. The Occupational Safety and Health OSH Act was enacted to ensure safe and healthy
__________________________ for people in the workplace.
2. The act requires employers to provide a workplace that is free of__________________________
that could _______________________their employees.
3. Identify three worker rights under the OSH Act.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4. In carrying out this responsibility, employers must ____________________, _________________,
and ___________________involving employee safety and health.
5. Identify three responsibilities of employers under the OSH Act.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
9
Safety in the Workplace
Quiz Answer Key
1. The Occupational Safety and Health OSH Act was enacted to ensure safe and healthy
__________________________ for people in the workplace.
Answer- working conditions
2. The act requires employers to provide a workplace that is free of _______________________
that could _______________________their employees.
Answers- known hazards/ injure or harm
3. Identify three worker rights under the OSH Act.
Answers File complaints to have their workplace inspected by OSHA
 Receive training and information about workplace hazards
 Review records of workplace injuries
 Receive copies of their medical records
 Receive copies of test results measuring workplace hazards
4. In carrying out this responsibility, employers must _________________________,
______________________, and ______________________involving employee safety and health.
Answers- regularly inspect/ identify/ correct problems
5. Identify three responsibilities of employers under the OSH Act.
Answers Provide ventilation of harmful fumes
 Use safe chemicals
 Sample air quality and noise pollution in the workplace
 Maintain records of workplace injuries
 Train employees on workplace hazards and injury prevention
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
10
Name______________________________________Date____________________Class_______________
Safety in the Workplace
Poster Project
Directions
Using the website references below, research OSH Act information on employee rights and responsibilities,
and employer responsibilities. After researching, create a one-page information poster. Include at least three
images.
Information Resources
 OSHA, US Department of Labor. (2013). Workers. http://www.osha.gov/workers.html
 OSHA, US Department of Labor. (2013). Employer responsibilities.
http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/employer-responsibility.html
 OSHA, US Department of Labor (2011). OSHA worker’s rights, publication OSHA 3021-09R 2011
retrieved from http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3021.pdf
 OSHA, US Department of Labor (2013). All about OSHA, publication OSHA 3302-01R 2013 retrieved
from http://www.osha.gov/Publications/all_about_OSHA.pdf
 OSHA, US Department of Labor (2013). http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.html
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
11
Safety in the Workplace
Poster Project Answer Key
Occupational Safety and Health Responsibilities:
“Know your Rights!”
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires employers to maintain workplaces for their
employees that are free from job safety and health hazards.
Employer Responsibilities
Employee Rights and Responsibilities
 General Requirements
Employers must comply with applicable OSHA
regulations, and maintain workplaces that are free
from job related safety and health hazards.
 Compliance with Standards
Employees shall obey all applicable OSHA
occupational safety and health standards, policies,
and directives.
 Workplace Inspections
Employers will inspect each workplace annually for
hazardous conditions.
 Safety and Protective Equipment
Employees will use all appropriate protective and
safety equipment provided by their employer.
 Safety and Protective Equipment
Appropriate protective and safety equipment will
be purchased and maintained by employers and
required to be used by employees.
 Participation in Safety and Health Program
Employees will have the right to participate in all
employer-sponsored safety and health programs
and will be allowed official time for these activities.
 Correction of Unsafe Conditions
Employers will ensure that hazardous conditions
are corrected and impending dangerous conditions
are corrected immediately.
 Reporting Hazards
Employees will have the right to report unsafe or
unhealthy working conditions to appropriate
officials. Employee confidentiality will be enforced.

 Freedom from Fear of Retaliation
Employees are protected from discrimination and
retaliation for exercising any of their rights under
their employer’s safety and health program.
Reporting Accidents, Injuries, and
Occupational Illnesses
Reports must be submitted for all work-related
accidents, injuries, or illnesses that affect
employees.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
12