Employers have a moral responsibility to provide a safe workplace for employees while they do their jobs. Aside from being “the right thing to do,” key employer responsibilities have been noted under the OSH Act (Occupational Safety and Health). These key responsibilities are broader than, for example, the type of PPE that must be worn in environments such as confined spaces. Think of them as guidelines for the basic needs of workers.Then there is OSHA compliance. Becoming compliant with OSHA law means adhering to all applicable regulations that have been developed and are relevant to the unique working environment. Whether that be keeping records of injuries, to equipping workers with necessary hazard information and PPE before they enter a dangerous area.To be OSHA compliant means operating under safe working conditions according to tested best practice methods. To be OSHA compliant means being able to send employees home safely to their families every day.What Does OSHA Stand for?OSHA is an acronym for the federal agency that stands for "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration." The regulations that this federal entity sets into motion are an incredibly important resource for the prevention of on-the-job injuries and illnesses. Not only do OSHA’s regulations improve workplace safety, but they are also enforced with hefty penalties in the event a business is caught running operations dangerously.Enforcing ComplianceThe following is a short list of standards that must be followed by employers to keep facilities safe and reduce the number of workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths within the workforce. This list is by no means complete, but instead a list of the ten most frequently penalized regulations of 2020:29 CFR 1926.501 – Fall Protection29 CFR 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication Standard29 CFR 1910.134 – Respiratory Protection29 CFR 1926.451 – Scaffolding29 CFR 1926.1053 – Ladders29 CFR 1910.147 – Control of Hazardous Energy29 CFR 1910.178 – Powered Industrial Trucks29 CFR 1926.503 – Training Requirements for Fall Protection29 CFR 1926.102 – Eye and Face Protection29 CFR 1910.212 – Machinery and Machine GuardingAgain, this is not a complete list of OSHA regulations, you may find that on OSHA’s website. Make no mistake, it is also important to research and comply with any standards related to:Personal Protective EquipmentSafety SignsHazard CommunicationA few examples of adhering to these regulations include following the color codes OSHA has set, using the hazard symbols approved by OSHA, and purchasing industry approved PPE.While not an OSHA requirement, the agency does encourage employers to adopt and implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program. These programs can greatly reduce the number and severity of injuries and illnesses in the workplace.The Consequences of Failing to Abide by Safety RequirementsNeglecting to follow established OSHA rules on industry protocol can be a costly mistake both in terms of human life and monetarily for the business operating alongside preventable hazards.In the United States alone, the Department of Labor estimates about 2.7 non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses and 4,764 fatal work injuries in 2020. In terms of safety penalties, the average cost is about $2,500 per citation. However, that number can be much higher depending on the nature of non-compliance actions, as well as ifthere has been an injury because of it. Almost all injuries and illnesses are preventable if the established rules are followed. That said, it is in the best interest of the employer to comply with OSHA regulations. Similar Questions How does OSHA affect a business?What OSHA posters are required?What does OSHA stand for?How are violations reported to OSHA?How does OSHA work?What happens if you violate an OSHA standard?Who is OSHA meant to protect?How does OSHA conduct inspections?What is OSHA’s General Duty Clause?Additional Resources OSHA Compliance: What You Need to KnowOSHA Facts [Updated Statistics 2019]What is HAZCOM? (Hazard Communication Definition + OSHA Standards)OSHA’s Guidelines to Protecting Employees from CoronavirusOSHA Accident Reports

What does it mean to be OSHA compliant?

OSHA

Employers have a moral responsibility to provide a safe workplace for employees while they do their jobs. Aside from being “the right thing to do,” key employer responsibilities have been noted under the OSH Act (Occupational Safety and Health). These key responsibilities are broader than, for example, the type of PPE that must be worn in environments such as confined spaces. Think of them as guidelines for the basic needs of workers.

Then there is OSHA compliance. Becoming compliant with OSHA law means adhering to all applicable regulations that have been developed and are relevant to the unique working environment. Whether that be keeping records of injuries, to equipping workers with necessary hazard information and PPE before they enter a dangerous area.

To be OSHA compliant means operating under safe working conditions according to tested best practice methods. To be OSHA compliant means being able to send employees home safely to their families every day.

What Does OSHA Stand for?

OSHA is an acronym for the federal agency that stands for "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration." The regulations that this federal entity sets into motion are an incredibly important resource for the prevention of on-the-job injuries and illnesses.

Not only do OSHA’s regulations improve workplace safety, but they are also enforced with hefty penalties in the event a business is caught running operations dangerously.

Enforcing Compliance

The following is a short list of standards that must be followed by employers to keep facilities safe and reduce the number of workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths within the workforce. This list is by no means complete, but instead a list of the ten most frequently penalized regulations of 2020:

29 CFR 1926.501 – Fall Protection
29 CFR 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication Standard
29 CFR 1910.134 – Respiratory Protection
29 CFR 1926.451 – Scaffolding
29 CFR 1926.1053 – Ladders
29 CFR 1910.147 – Control of Hazardous Energy
29 CFR 1910.178 – Powered Industrial Trucks
29 CFR 1926.503 – Training Requirements for Fall Protection
29 CFR 1926.102 – Eye and Face Protection
29 CFR 1910.212 – Machinery and Machine Guarding

Again, this is not a complete list of OSHA regulations, you may find that on OSHA’s website.

Make no mistake, it is also important to research and comply with any standards related to:

Personal Protective Equipment
Safety Signs
Hazard Communication

A few examples of adhering to these regulations include following the color codes OSHA has set, using the hazard symbols approved by OSHA, and purchasing industry approved PPE.

osha compliant workplace

While not an OSHA requirement, the agency does encourage employers to adopt and implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program. These programs can greatly reduce the number and severity of injuries and illnesses in the workplace.

The Consequences of Failing to Abide by Safety Requirements

Neglecting to follow established OSHA rules on industry protocol can be a costly mistake both in terms of human life and monetarily for the business operating alongside preventable hazards.

In the United States alone, the Department of Labor estimates about 2.7 non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses and 4,764 fatal work injuries in 2020. In terms of safety penalties, the average cost is about $2,500 per citation. However, that number can be much higher depending on the nature of non-compliance actions, as well as if

there has been an injury because of it.
Almost all injuries and illnesses are preventable if the established rules are followed. That said, it is in the best interest of the employer to comply with OSHA regulations.