OSHA has standards (rules) on many health and safety issues at work. Some of these standards are not as strong as workers need. Some serious hazards that hurt many workers have no OSHA standards. Even if your workplace is following all of the OSHA standards, that doesn’t mean that you are safe. You can fight for stronger protection, especially if you have a union. OSHA just says what the lowest standard of safety must be.

Understanding the standards for hazards in your work is an important place to start. You can search for a regulation or interpretation on the OSHA site, or look through an alphabetical list of safety topics on this website.

OSHA's General Duty Clause  OSHA does not have rules for common dangers that hurt many workers. There are no rules for ergonomics and repetitive motion injuries, very hot or cold workplaces, workplace violence, indoor air quality, infectious diseases, and thousands of toxic chemicals -- although many workers are hurt and killed every year by these hazards that could be reduced or eliminated. OSHA doesn't do a good job at protecting workers when there is no OSHA standard, although they can enforce safety under the General Duty clause.

In order for OSHA to take a "General Duty" complaint seriously, you will have to show that:

  • there is a hazard
  • the hazard could hurt someone seriously or kill them
  • there are reasonable and effective ways to protect workers from the hazard