What Are Some Common Myths About OSHA?

OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, often gets a bad rap in workplaces across the nation. However, the purpose of OSHA was to protect all workers and ensure working conditions are safe.

Commercial insurance works in tandem with OSHA regulations to help employers recognize and correct safety risks.

Rumors and myths about OSHA can run rampant around various workplaces, especially when someone believes a safety hazard exists.

What is OSHA? OSHA is a federal agency that ensures safety for all federal agencies and federal employees. OSHA also oversees most employers and employees. Some states have created state OSHA departments.

Here are a few myths surrounding OSHA:

1.       OSHA inspectors have quotas to meet, and they are financially incentivized to issue penalties. The reality is the fines companies pay because of OSHA penalties go directly to federal or state treasuries. OSHA is not self-supporting, and they have no motivation to issue penalties.
2.       OSHA may enter and inspect workplaces without a warrant. Employers have a choice to allow OSHA to perform an inspection without a warrant or not. If they refuse, OSHA will likely get a warrant anyway if they can prove they believe a safety hazard is impacting workers.
3.       OSHA only inspects larger employers. OSHA puts large employers on a high priority because a safety risk impacts more people than at smaller companies. Inspectors also place priority on occupations where the degree of risks are highest such as companies in the building trades. Nonetheless, OSHA will also visit small companies if they believe a safety hazard is probable.
4.       OSHA does not oversee safety risks in business offices. This is also not true. Safety hazards also exist in office buildings. OSHA focuses on such issues as sanitation, fire safety, and evacuation plans in office environments.
5.       Workers must stop working while OSHA is performing an inspection. OSHA inspectors usually need to see workers in action before they can decide if a safety hazard exists. Inspectors ask employers to encourage their employees to answer OSHA’s questions truthfully and cooperate with them fully. If workers wish to speak with OSHA inspectors privately, they have the right to do so. Employers are not legally allowed to retaliate against employees who report unsafe conditions or speak with OSHA inspectors privately.

OSHA is not the enemy. They are on the side of safe working conditions and that is something that benefits employers, employees, and entire societies. No matter who discovers a safety hazard, it’s in everyone’s best interest to correct it.