Employee Rights Under OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) within the Department of Labor.

The OSH Act gave employees many new rights, including the right to do the following:

• Review copies of appropriate standards and regulations available at the workplace.

• Request information on safety and health hazards in the workplace, precautions that may be taken, and procedures to be followed if employee is involved in an accident or is exposed to toxic substances.

• Have access to relevant employee exposure and medical records. 

• Request OSHA to conduct an inspection if they believe hazardous conditions or violations of standards exist in the workplace.
   
• Observe any monitoring or measuring of hazardous materials and see the resulting records.
   
• Review the Log and Summary of Occupational Injuries (OSHA No. 300A) at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner (or secure an authorized representative for this task.)
   
• Have their names withheld from their employer, upon request to OSHA, if they sign and file a written complaint.