History

• OSHA is the first federal program designed to protect Americans nationwide from work-related dangers to their health and safety. The agency that sets and enforces standards under this act, also called OSHA, was established on April 28, 1971. The agency established regional offices with compliance officers trained to oversee and enforce the standards passed down from OSHA. OSHA falls under the direction of the United States Department of Labor.
  
  

Features

• OSHA sets standards that employers must follow to protect workers. OSHA safety standards limit your work-related exposure to hazardous chemicals and substances. Your employer has to inform you of any hazards by training and by implementing warning systems, like chemical information sheets, labels and alarms. OSHA also requires that your employer post any OSHA citations they receive. If an employee dies as a result of a workplace accident, or three or more workers go to the hospital, you employer must contact OSHA within eight hours. The OSHA act also guarantees that that you can make a complaint about a possible workplace hazard without retaliation from your employer.
  
  

Coverage

• OSHA covers most employees in the United States and its jurisdictions. Employees who work in most state and federal governments aren't covered by federal OSHA, but under state-run OSHA acts. The only exceptions are state and local employees in Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and the Virgin Islands. OSHA does not cover self-employed workers, workers on a farm that doesn't hire employees outside of the family, and workers protected by a federal agency, such as the Federal Aviation Administration or Coast Guard.
  
  

How to Make a Complaint

• If you feel there is an unresolved health or safety issue at your place of employment, consider reporting it to your supervisor. You may file a complaint with the regional OSHA office online or by phone, fax or mail. If you feel there is a life-threatening health or safety situation you can call 1-800-321-OSHA. Although you can call without knowing for sure there is a violation, you should be prepared to give as much information as possible about the workplace and the potentially hazardous situation.
  
  

Considerations

• You have a right to know the outcome if OSHA inspects your employer. Though it's not obligatory, you can go on the inspection, talk privately with the inspector and sit in on the meetings with your employer and OSHA inspector.
  
  OSHA makes safety protection and information easy to access. You can visit OSHA's website to learn more about your rights under OSHA or to file a complaint. When you file a complaint, OSHA will keep all of your information confidential. You can also find out if OSHA has ever inspected your employer by searching the OSHA Data Initiative (see Resources).