Employee Responsibilities
Although OSHA does not cite employees for violations of their responsibilities, each employee must comply with all occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued under the Act that apply.
3 Employee Responsibilities
Employee compliance is not likely unless the employer holds its employees accountable. Think of it this way, while the employer is accountable to OSHA standards, employees are held to the standards set by the employer.
One effective strategy for communicating this "chain of command" for accountability is for the employer to use language stressing that employees comply with the "company's safety rules" rather than the OSHA rules. Instead of entitling your safety manual, "OSHA Manual," give it a title that reflects the idea that the company owns safety: call it the "XYZ, Inc. Safety Manual."
Following this strategy to communicate responsibilities is important for a couple of reasons:
- It demonstrates the employer's commitment to safety as a matter of genuine concern for employee well-being, beyond just legal obligations.
- It ensures that employees at all levels have a clear understanding of the workplace's 'chain of command' for accountability in the workplace.
According to OSHA law, employees should do the following:
- Follow all lawful OSHA and employer safety policies and rules.
- Report hazardous conditions to their supervisor.
- Immediately report any job-related injury or illness to the employer.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-5. Employee compliance is not likely unless the employer _____.
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