20 Section 1 Preparing to Build The Occupational Safety and Health Act, which created OSHA, authorizes states to estab- lish their own safety and health programs, subject to OSHA approval, Figure 2-1. Some states write their own standards. Others adopt the federal OSHA standards. OSHA standards are rules that describe the methods that employers must use to protect their employees from hazards. OSHA 1926 CFR Subpart C contains the basic requirements of a safety and health program, and defines terms used in construction standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Act grants workers important rights. Workers play a vital role in identifying and correcting problems at their workplace. Most employers are quick to correct problems when they are called to their attention. If a worker feels that his or her employer is not correcting a hazardous condition he has the right to file a complaint with OSHA. 2.1.1 Employers’ Responsibilities under OSHA Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace following these guidelines: Provide their workers with a workplace that does not have serious hazards Follow all OSHA safety and health standards Find and correct safety and health problems OSHA further requires that employers must first try to eliminate or reduce hazards by making feasible changes in working conditions rather than merely relying on personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, or earplugs. Switching to safer chemicals, enclosing processes to trap harm- ful fumes, or using ventilation systems to clean the air are examples of effective ways to eliminate or reduce risks. OSHA-approved state plan OSHA-approved state plan for public sector only OSHA.gov Figure 2-1. Twenty-five states plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA approved programs. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
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