Understanding OSHA Regulations

Workplaces across the United States are charged with providing reasonably safe working conditions for their employees. This duty was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. This act also established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is in charge of setting and enforcing workplace regulations.

OSHA requires all workplaces to maintain certain standards, though it also has requirements for certain lines of work that may require additional safety standards. All places of employment, though, are expected to:

• Educate workers about proper safety
• Allow easy access to safety equipment
• Provide protective gear for workers
• Adopt practices to maintain safety

These expectations were outlined in the general duty clause of the act. Every place of employment is expected to follow these conditions, as they reduce the risk of serious injury to workers.

As previously stated, different industries have different standards. Information about what is required of your workplace should be made readily available by your employer; if he or she does not have this information available to you, your employer is actually breaking one of OSHA's regulations.

Most employers carry workers' compensation insurance to provide for their workers who are injured while on the job. However, employers and insurance companies have a vested interest in giving out as little in workers' compensation benefits as possible. As such, you should work with an experienced workers' compensation attorney to make the strongest case possible for the benefits you deserve.

Neglecting to provide a safe workplace is not only wrong, but it is also against the law.

If you were injured at work because of your employer's negligence to follow proper safety measure, the New Jersey workplace safety attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. will help you fight to get the workers' compensation benefits you deserve.