OSHA Was Created To Ensure Safe and Healthful Working Conditions

When the U.S. Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) it also created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

Federal law entitles workers to a safe workplace. Employers must keep their workplaces free of known health and safety hazards. Workers have the right to speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation. Workers also have the right to:

• Receive workplace safety and health training in a language you understand

• Work on machines that are safe

• Receive required safety equipment, such as gloves or a harness and lifeline for falls

• Be protected from toxic chemicals

• Request an OSHA inspection, and speak to the inspector

• Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records

• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses

• See results of tests taken to find workplace hazards

Safety and Health Complaint

If a worker believes working conditions are unsafe or unhealthful, the worker may file a confidential complaint with OSHA and ask for an inspection. If possible, the worker should tell the employer about their concerns.

Protection from Retaliation

It is illegal for an employer to fire, demote, transfer or otherwise retaliate against a worker who complains to OSHA and uses their legal rights. If you believe you have been retaliated against in any way, file a whistleblower complaint within 30 days of the alleged retaliation.

Contact OSHA

To discuss a workplace health or safety issue, contact OSHA toll-free at 1-800-321-6742, or by e-mail, or through your nearest OSHA office. Your information will be kept confidential.

In California, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) operates under federal authority to ensure safe and healthful working conditions by enforcing standards and providing training and assistance. California also has its own state plan approved by OSHA, known as Cal/OSHA, which operates under the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Cal/OSHA often enforces standards that are stricter than federal OSHA requirements. Workers in California have the right to receive safety training in a language they understand, work with safe machinery, receive necessary safety equipment, be protected from toxic chemicals, request an OSHA inspection, report injuries or illnesses, and access their medical records and records of work-related injuries and illnesses. They can also see the results of workplace hazard tests. If workers believe their working conditions are unsafe, they can file a confidential complaint with Cal/OSHA. Protection from retaliation is also enshrined in law; employers are prohibited from retaliating against workers for exercising their safety and health rights. Workers who face retaliation can file a whistleblower complaint within 30 days of the alleged retaliation. For workplace health or safety issues, workers can contact OSHA or Cal/OSHA directly, and their information will be kept confidential.