Chapter Six – THE OSH ACT, STANDARDS, AND LIABILITY
TRUE OR FALSE: Place T or F in the space provided.
_____1. Since the early 1970s, the most significant legislation passed has
been the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970.
_____2. OSHA has only one purpose, to encourage employers and employees
to reduce workplace hazards.
_____3. The general duty clause of the OSH Act requires that employers
provide a workplace that is free from hazards that are likely to harm
employees.
_____4. A temporary variance may be issued to an employer when there is
not enough time to comply with the standard.
_____5. OSHA can only make recommendations concerning penalties and
citations when employers are found guilty of violations.
_____6. The OSH Act covers all employees in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, and all other territories that fall under the jurisdiction
of the United States government.
_____7. Ad hoc committees and standing committees deal with the same
issues.
_____8. Once a standard has been passed, it becomes effective on the date
prescribed.
_____9. OSHA is not required to post materials but is required to
communicate orally about safety and health issues that concern employees.
_____10. A standard is an operational principal, criteria, or requirement, or a
set of these combinations.
_____11. Under the OSHA Law, employers are responsible for the level of
safety and health found in their workplace.
_____12. OSHA regulations apply to federal government agencies.
_____13. People who work in state and local government are covered by the
same OSHA regulations as any private sector worker.
_____14. OSHA has established standards in just three broad areas: General
industry, Construction, and Agriculture.
_____15. OSHA has the authority to develop, adopt, and amend standards.
_____16. OSHA openly favors and encourages safety incentive programs.
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Circle the letter before the correct answer.
1. Which of the following statements was the purpose of Congress passing
the OSH Act in 1970?
A. Reduce employer’s costs
B. Reduce downtime in industry
C. Safe and healthful working conditions for employees
D. Lower insurance rates
2. What are the three di5erent types of action OSHA may utilize to maintain
safety and health standards?
A. Adopted, amended, or revoked
B. Revoked, reduced, or forgiven
C. Reduced, forgiven, or altered
D. Appealed, rescind, or reduced
3. Once a standard is passed, an employer who is opposed to the standard
must file an appeal in which of the following?
A. 45 days
B. 90 days
C. 10 days
D. 60 days
4. The record keeping and reporting requirements of the OSH Act apply to
employers with which of the following?
A. 100 or more workers
B. 50 or more workers
C. 11 or more workers
D. 2 or more workers
5. Under the OSH Act, employees have the following rights except which of
the following?
A. Refusal to wear safety equipment
B. File a safety and health grievance
C. Participate in OSHA inspections
D. Participate in union activities concerning job safety and health
6. Which of the following states has adopted OSHA-approved state safety
plans?
A. New York
B. Hawaii
C. Wyoming
D. North Dakota
7. Which of the following has the highest priority for OSHA inspections?
A. Worker complaints
B. Targeted inspections of particular hazards
C. Follow-up inspections
D. Imminent danger situations
8. The OSHA program that protects employees who file complaints against
their employers for unsafe conditions is known as:
A. Worker protection program
B. Whistleblower program
C. Employee safety and health program
D. OSHA Hotline program
16. F
8. B
1. BrieDy explain the rationale for the OSH Act.
2. What is OSHA’s mission or purpose?
3. List those who are exempted from coverage by OSHA.
4. Explain the difference between an OSHA standard and an OSHA
regulation.
5. Explain how the following processes relating to OSHA standards are
accomplished; passage of a new standard; request for a temporary variance;
appealing a standard.
6. BrieDy describe OSHA’s record-keeping requirements.
7. What are OSHA’s reporting requirements?
8. Explain what employers are required to do in order to keep employees
informed.
Employers are required to keep employees informed about safety and
health issues that concern them. They are required to post the
following material at locations where employee information is normally
displayed: a) OSHA poster 2203; b) summaries of variance requests; c)
copies of all OSHA citations received for failure to meet standards; and
d) the summary page of OSHA form 200.
9. Explain the various components of OSHA’s enhanced enforcement policy.
10. Describe how a hypothetical OSHA workplace inspection would proceed
from the first step to the last.
11. List and explain three di5erent types of OSHA citations and the typical
penalties that accompany them.
12. Describe the process for appealing an OSHA citation.
13. List and brieDy explain OSHA’s voluntary protection programs.
14. List five employer responsibilities.
15. List five employee rights.
16. Describe the purpose and organization of NIOSH.
17. Define the following legal terms as they relate to workplace safety:
negligence; liability; ability to pay; and tort.
18. Explain OSHA’s stand on safety incentives.