Employers must review and document the effectiveness of their AWRP at least annually.
EMPLOYER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Employees must follow applicable safety rules and use required PPE, but MNOSHA does not cite employees; employers remain ultimately responsible for compliance. Employee rights include: • Filing a confidential complaint requesting an MNOSHA inspection if they believe unsafe or unhealthy conditions exist; the complainant’s identity is kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. • Participating in standards development and commenting on rules. • Being notified of employer variance requests and seeking a hearing. • Having an authorized representative participate in MNOSHA inspections (opening conference, walkaround, closing conference) with normal pay for their time. • Being free from retaliation for asserting safety and health rights, filing complaints, or cooperating with inspections. Communications between an employee and attorneys representing DLI in retaliation cases are treated as privileged, similar to attorney‑client communications under Minn. Stat. § 182.669. EMPLOYEE RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT Minnesota’s Employee Right‑to‑Know Act requires employers to inform employees about: • Hazardous substances . • Harmful physical agents (for example, noise, radiation, extreme heat or cold). • Infectious agents to which they may be exposed at work. Key requirements : • Evaluate the workplace for covered substances and agents. • Obtain and maintain written information (for chemicals, typically Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) ; Minnesota still refers to MSDS in some legacy documents, but federal terminology is now SDS). • Make written information readily accessible to employees and their representatives. • Provide initial and periodic training about hazards, safe work practices, protective measures, and labeling. • Label containers and equipment that present covered hazards in accordance with the standard. The Right‑to‑Know standard is enforced as part of MNOSHA; detailed guidance, including lists of covered agents and training expectations, is available from MNOSHA Compliance.
184
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker