OSHA and Workplace Safety
1970
OSH Act
Foundation of workplace safety
11
Employees
OSHA 300 Log threshold
8 / 24
Hours
Fatality / hospitalization deadlines
an OSHA inspector walks onto a job site
The Inspection Walkthrough
Picture a construction site. The inspector arrives with a badge. Some hazards have specific OSHA standards. Some don't — and that's where the General Duty Clause picks them up.
how to read this
- › Blue tags mark hazards covered by a specific OSHA standard (cited by section number).
- › Yellow tags mark hazards with no specific standard — caught by the General Duty Clause.
- › The inspector can require a warrant if the employer refuses entry. Refusing without a warrant is NOT retaliation.
two clocks · two events
Reporting Clocks
The clock starts at the event, not at discovery. Memorize both faces.
fatality
Workplace fatality must be reported to OSHA within 8 hours
hospitalization · amputation · eye loss
Inpatient hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss → 24 hours
Exam Traps
General Duty Clause is the catch-all
When no specific OSHA standard applies, GDC fills the gap. The exam tests when GDC vs specific standard applies.
OSHA 300 threshold is 11, not 50
Different from FMLA. Employers with 11+ employees must maintain injury and illness logs.
Reporting deadlines differ by event
8 hours for fatalities. 24 hours for hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss. Memorize both.
OSHA inspectors need a warrant if refused
Employer can require a warrant. Refusing entry without a warrant is not retaliation. The exam tests this.
8 vs 24 hour rules
8 hours for fatality. 24 hours for amputation, hospitalization, eye loss. Memorize both timelines.
GDC catches what standards miss
When no specific OSHA standard applies, the General Duty Clause covers known hazards causing serious harm.
Pool must have a fence at least 4 feet high. OSHA standard says exactly what the fence looks like.
No specific fence standard for this kind of pool, but everyone knows a deep pool without a fence is dangerous. GDC catches it.
Must keep injury logs (OSHA 300). Below 11 employees, exempt from logs but not safety obligations.
Drowning fatality → report within 8 hours. Eye injury on the diving board → report within 24 hours.
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