How can OSHA help new businesses?

Starting a new business can be challenging.

OSHA can help by explaining the federal

regulatory requirements concerning safety and

health and help you create a safe and healthful

workplace for your employees that conforms to

federal law. States with OSHA-approved state

plans have adopted standards equivalent to

OSHA’s. For additional information, visit us

online at www.osha.gov.

What are your responsibilities as an

employer?

Under the provisions of the Occupational

Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act), as

the employer, you must provide a workplace free

from recognized hazards that are causing, or are

likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to

your employees regardless of the size of your

business. You must comply with OSHA

standards and regulations under the OSH Act.

You must also be familiar with those OSHA

standards and regulations that apply to your

workplace and make copies of them available to

employees upon request.

Are employers required to maintain

records of injuries and illnesses?

Yes. Most businesses with 11 or more

employees at any time during the calendar year

must maintain records of occupational injuries and

illnesses as they occur using OSHA Form 300,

Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. Such

recordkeeping is not required for employers in

most retail trade, finance, insurance, real estate,

and service industries.

Must employers display OSHA safety

and health information in the

workplace?

Yes. You must display OSHA’s Safe and

Healthful Workplaces poster (OSHA 3165 or the

state equivalent) in a conspicuous location in your

workplace where workers and prospective

employees can see it. This publication informs

employees of their rights and responsibilities

under the OSH Act.

Are employers required to

communicate information about

hazardous chemicals in the workplace

to their employees?

Yes. Employers must inform their workers

about the dangers of chemical hazards in their

workplaces and train their employees regarding

proper safeguards. This includes providing

information on the hazards and identities of

chemicals employees may be exposed to on the

job and describing protective measures to

prevent adverse effects. Chemical producers and

importers must evaluate their products for

chemical hazards and provide hazard information

to customers.

Is your business subject to inspection?

All businesses covered by the OSH Act must

comply with federal workplace safety and health

standards, or comparable state standards, if the

workplace is under the jurisdiction of a state

agency administering an OSHA-approved safety

and health plan. Every establishment covered by

the OSH Act is subject to inspection by federal or

state compliance safety and health officers who

are chosen for their knowledge and experience in

the occupational safety and health field. OSHA

conducts workplace inspections of businesses in

federal jurisdictions, and OSHA-approved state

plans are responsible for conducting workplace

inspections of businesses under state jurisdiction

to enforce their own standards that are “at least

as effective” as federal requirements.

What services are available from

OSHA to help you?

OSHA’s Area Office staffs provide advice,

education, and assistance to business

(particularly small employers), trade associations,

local labor affiliates, and other stakeholders who

request help with occupational safety and health
U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

2002

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies, or standards. It does not impose

any new compliance requirements or carry the force of legal opinion. For compliance requirements of OSHA standards or

regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired

individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999. See also OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

issues. They work with professional

organizations, unions, and community groups

concerning issues of safety and health in the

workplace. In addition, OSHA offers the

following services:

■ Consultation - Employers who want on-site

assistance in identifying and correcting hazards

and in improving safety and health programs

can get help from a free and confidential

consultation service largely funded by OSHA

and delivered by state consultation staffs.

■ Instruction - Training courses in safety and

health subjects are available to the private

sector through the OSHA Training Institute in

Des Plaines, IL, and at 12 education centers

throughout the nation. For locations, visit

OSHA’s Office of Training and Education online

at http://www.osha-slc.gov/fso/ote/training/

edcenters/edcenter_contact.html.

■ Publications - Various publications are on-line

at www.osha.gov to help small businesses

comply with OSHA requirements.

■ Partnership - In a partnership, OSHA enters

into an extended, voluntary, cooperative

relationship with groups of employers,

employees, and employee representatives to

encourage, assist, and recognize their efforts to

eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high

level of worker safety and health.

How can I get more information?

You can find more information about help for

new businesses, including the full text of OSHA’s

standards, on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

OSHA’s rules and standards are in Title 29 of the

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1900-

1910, 1915, 1917, 1918, 1926, and 1928.

To file a complaint by phone, report an

emergency, or get OSHA advice, assistance, or

products, contact your nearest OSHA office under

the “U.S. Department of Labor” listing in your

phone book, or call (800) 321-OSHA (6742);

teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.

To file a complaint online or obtain more

information on OSHA federal and state programs,

visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.