2.1.5 Safety Training Requirements Under OSHA, you are responsible for both initial and ongoing safety training. Make sure that all of your employees know about the materials and equipment they are required to use on the job, the known hazards in the business, and how you are controlling them. Don’t let an employee begin work until they have received safety training. Also, don’t overlook the need for ongoing safety training throughout the lifetime of your business. All employees need refresher training from time to time to place an ongoing focus on safety. Make time for safety training in EVERY staff meeting. Prepare a written agenda for your meetings including safety-training topics and have each employee sign an attendance sheet for the meeting. These steps will show your commitment and follow through in the event that an OSHA representative ever visits you for inspection and compliance purposes. Employees’ Rights under OSHA Your employees have two basic rights under OSHA. Employees are guaranteed the right to complain to OSHA about safety or health conditions without being penalized by you for doing so. Firing or discriminating against an employee who makes a complaint to OSHA is a violation of OSHA provisions. In addition, employees have the right to refuse to work if they think the workplace is unsafe. If the employee has a “reasonable and good faith belief” that there is an immediate risk of serious injury or death, they have the right to walk off the job or refuse to work until you have corrected the problem or determined, through investigation, that there is no danger. Do not fire or demote the employee while you are investigating the situation. You may, however, place them temporarily in another job at equal pay. If you fire or demote the employee and OSHA determines that the complaint was well founded, you will be found in violation. 2.2 OSHA Hazard Communication Standard The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), commonly referred to as the OSHA employee “Right-to-Know” law is based on a simple concept—that employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working. They also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring. The HCS is designed to provide employees with the information they need. Knowledge acquired under the HCS will help MOLLY MAID owners provide safer workplaces for their employees. By having information about the chemicals being used, you can take steps to reduce exposures, substitute less hazardous materials, and establish proper work practices. These efforts will help prevent the occurrence of work-related illnesses and injuries caused by chemicals. The HCS addresses the issues of evaluating and communicating hazards to employees. The HCS is designed so employers who simply use chemicals, rather than produce or import 2.1.6
MOLLY MAID Safety Manual
Page 9
Copyright 2015, Molly Maid, Inc.
Proprietary and Confidential Information
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker