OSHA - Occupational Health and Safety Administration
With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress 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.
Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow all OSHA safety and health standards. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. OSHA further requires that employers have to try to eliminate or reduce hazards first by making changes in working conditions rather than just relying on masks, gloves, ear plugs or other types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Switching to safer chemicals, enclosing processes to trap harmful fumes, or using ventilation systems to clean the air are examples of effective ways to get rid of or minimize risks.
Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow all OSHA safety and health standards. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. OSHA further requires that employers have to try to eliminate or reduce hazards first by making changes in working conditions rather than just relying on masks, gloves, ear plugs or other types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Switching to safer chemicals, enclosing processes to trap harmful fumes, or using ventilation systems to clean the air are examples of effective ways to get rid of or minimize risks.
Who is covered by OSHA
Employees in private sector companies are covered by OSHA. Employees of state and local governments in Texas are Not covered; this includes public school districts. Federal employees are covered.
OSHA Instructional Resources
OSHA has developed a new two-hour training component emphasizing workers' rights. It is required content in every 10- and 30-hour OSHA Construction, General Industry, and Maritime Outreach course. OSHA developed the component in support of the Secretary of Labor's goal of strengthening the voice of workers on the job.
The module focuses on the importance of workers' rights, employer responsibilities and how to file a complaint. It also includes helpful worker safety and health resources. It covers whistleblower rights, filing a complaint, a worker's right to refuse to work because of dangerous conditions, and provides samples of a weekly fatality and catastrophe report, material data safety sheet and the OSHA Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. The module materials include an Instructor Guide, PowerPoint slides, Student Handouts, and participatory activities.
OSHA also has a link entitled Young Workers. There is information for young workers, parent, employers, and educators.
The module focuses on the importance of workers' rights, employer responsibilities and how to file a complaint. It also includes helpful worker safety and health resources. It covers whistleblower rights, filing a complaint, a worker's right to refuse to work because of dangerous conditions, and provides samples of a weekly fatality and catastrophe report, material data safety sheet and the OSHA Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. The module materials include an Instructor Guide, PowerPoint slides, Student Handouts, and participatory activities.
OSHA also has a link entitled Young Workers. There is information for young workers, parent, employers, and educators.
Youth Rules - Department of Labor
Another link for information is available at Youth Rules . This is information about provided by the Department of Labor. The is a link on this site specifically for students that work in restaurants.