OSHA is emphasizing workers’ rights in its new training component, “Introduction to OSHA,” a required content of every OSHA 10- and 30-hour Outreach Training Program class.

This information, according to the OSHA Training Institute, affects hundreds of thousands of workers who complete Outreach Training Program classes each year, and more than 50,000 authorized OSHA Outreach Trainers.

It focuses on the importance of workers’ rights and advises them of their right to the following:

• Safe and healthful workplaces;

• Know about the presence and effects of hazardous chemicals;

• Review information about injuries and illnesses in their workplaces;

• Receive training in a language they can understand;

• Request/file for an OSHA inspection and participate in the inspection; and

• Be free from retaliation for exercising their safety and health rights.

“For too long workers have avoided making claims of unsafe work conditions out of fear of losing their jobs,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. “We are confident that this new training will embolden workers to speak up when they find work practices that endanger their lives and the lives of their co-workers.”

During the 10- and 30-hour outreach training program classes, OSHA trainers cover topics on whistleblower rights and filing a complaint, and will provide samples of a weekly fatality and catastrophe report, material safety data sheet and the OSHA Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. Trainers can obtain test and answer sheets from their authorizing training organization.

Breaking Down the Standard

OSHA standards appear in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The OSHA standards are broken down into Parts. Part 1910 is known as the General Industry Standards. Some of the types of industries covered by the General Industry standards are manufacturing, the service sector, and health care.

Importance of this Training

Over the past three years, nearly two million students have received training through this program, and even though OSHA’s impact on worker safety and health is, well-established, significant hazards and unsafe conditions still exist in U.S. workplaces. Each year on average, 15 workers die every day from job injuries; over 5,600 Americans die from workplace injuries annually; more than 4 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses are reported; and the estimated cost of occupational injuries and illnesses are from $145 billion to $290 billion a year for direct and indirect costs.

OSHA, a small agency with approximately 1,000 federal inspectors and 1,400 state inspectors to cover about 8 million workplaces, cannot be everywhere. That’s why it is important for workers to know their rights and for employers to be aware of their responsibilities under OSHA.

This training is designed to let workers know whether their employer is complying with OSHA standards, what rights they have related to job safety and health, and where they can go for help.

Some examples of a safe/healthful workplace include:

• Fall protection and training are provided and required when working at high levels on a construction site;

• Machines and equipment with rotating and moving parts are guarded;

• Trenches are inspected and have protective systems in place;

• Proper confined space entry procedures, testing, equipment, and training are present;

• Noise levels are controlled. When levels are still high, workers are given hearing tests and are provided training and hearing protection;

• Protection from chemical hazards is provided, including an evaluation of chemicals used, a written program, Material Safety Data Sheets, worker protection (for example, respirators or gloves), and information and training.

• Right to know about hazardous chemicals.

Right to Training

Workers have a right to get training from their employer on a variety of health and safety hazards and standards that the employer must follow. We’ve already discussed the training required under OSHA’s Hazard Communication (Right to Know) standard. Other required training includes lockout-tagout, bloodborne pathogens, noise, confined spaces, fall hazards in construction, personal protective equipment, and a variety of other subjects.

Under OSHA’s standard 1910.1020, workers have the right to examine and copy exposure and medical records, including records of workplace monitoring or measuring a toxic substance. This is important if an employee has been exposed to toxic substances or harmful physical agents in the workplace, as this regulation may help detect prevent, and treat occupational disease.

OSHA standards require employers to measure exposure to harmful substances, and workers or their representatives have the right to observe the testing and examine the results. If the exposure levels are above the limit set by the standard, the employer must tell workers what will be done to reduce their exposure.

Workers are encouraged to follow all appropriate safety and health rules, and wear protective equipment while working. All OSHA standards are available on OSHA’s website, www.osha.gov. Workers are encouraged to look them up by the standard number or do a search by topic. For more on this new component of OSHA training, go to www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/teach ingaids.html. FSM