2. Under OSHA, workers are allowed:

a. To refuse to perform work in a dangerous environment (e.g., in the presence of toxic substances, fumes or radioactive materials);

b. To strike to protest unsafe conditions;

c. To initiate an OSHA inspection of dangerous working conditions by filing a safety complaint;

d. To participate in OSHA inspections, pre-hearing conferences and review inspection hearings;

e. To petition that employers provide adequate emergency exits, environmental control devices (e.g., ventilation, noise elimination devices, radiation detection tags, signs and protective equipment) and the ready availability of medical personnel;

f. To request time off with pay to seek medical treatment during working hours;

g. To request eating facilities in areas which have not been exposed to toxic substances; and

h. To request investigations when they are punished for asserting their rights.

3. Place OSHA workplace posters where all employees can easily see them.

4. Record all workplace fatalities and report any serious accidents (e.g., accidents where 5 or more employees were injured seriously enough to be hospitalized) to a Federal or State OSHA Office within 48 hours of the fatality or serious accident.

5. Under OSHA, employers must maintain complete and accurate records concerning injuries and illnesses occurring on the job or as a result of conditions at the plant site.

6. Under OSHA, employers must consciously prepare and display an annual summary of workplace injuries and illnesses from February 1 to March 1.

7. If your company employs 10 or fewer employees, it may be exempt from OSHA record keeping requirements.

8. Notify your employees of the procedures to follow in case of an emergency. This information should be contained in any employee manuals and company handbooks and all emergency phone numbers should be prominently listed.

9. Maintaining a safe workplace begins with the orientation of new workers. Set the stage from the beginning be letting the new employee know that safety is a very important focus at your workplace.

10. While job descriptions and work environment will determine what specific safety training must be given an employee, all new workers should receive an overall safety orientation.

11. Management's commitment to accident and injury prevention must always be conveyed.

12. Make clear that employee participation is needed to prevent accidents.

13. Request that workers notify management without penalty, of any unsafe condition or potential hazard.

14. Constantly remind supervisors to maintain safe and productive work operations.

15. Advise workers not to undertake a task before learning the safe method of doing it and being authorized by a supervisor to proceed.

16. Remind new employees about hazard recognition and that any injury, even a slight one, must be reported and treated immediately.

17. Keep the workplace safe and train employees in safety on an ongoing basis.

18. All companies should take a preventive approach to avoiding worker injuries and to insure a clean and healthful working environment.

19. Take steps to reduce worker stress, exposure to hazardous substances, vision impairment, repetitive motion injuries and exposure to computer terminal-caused injuries from video display terminals.

20. Work closely with your employees and request regular employee suggestions to reduce potential safety violations.

21. Hire safety consultants who will visit the work site and make suggestions. Many insurance companies provide this service at no cost.

22. Since safety training is mandated by federal regulation, regular training sessions for management and supervisors should be conducted to insure that employees know company policies and abide by the law.

23. Conduct follow-up field inspections to monitor compliance.

24. Publicize specific, strict rules regarding employee safety and related matters in company handbooks.

25. Statements on safety should include a list of prohibited forms of conduct and the consequences of committing such acts as well as a stated policy reminding workers how to report accidents, seek medical attention, and so forth.