what does the general duty clause require employers to do?
what does the general duty clause require employers to do?
Answer: The “general duty clause” refers to a provision in occupational safety and health regulations, specifically in the United States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). The general duty clause, which can be found in Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, requires employers to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees.
Specifically, the general duty clause requires employers to:
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Identify Hazards: Identify and recognize hazards that may exist in the workplace, even if those hazards are not explicitly addressed by existing safety standards.
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Minimize Hazards: Take measures to minimize or eliminate recognized hazards that could cause serious injury or death to employees.
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Provide Training: Provide proper training and information to employees to ensure they are aware of potential workplace hazards and know how to work safely.
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Maintain Records: Maintain records of workplace injuries and illnesses and provide access to these records to employees, their representatives, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
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Cooperate with OSHA: Cooperate with OSHA during inspections and investigations, including providing access to the workplace, records, and employees for interviews.
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Abate Hazards: Take prompt and effective action to abate or correct recognized hazards in the workplace.
The general duty clause serves as a catch-all provision to ensure that employers are responsible for protecting their employees from known hazards, even if specific OSHA standards do not exist for those hazards. It emphasizes the employer’s obligation to maintain a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.