FAQ Friday - February 2023

-

This FAQ Friday is focused on questions about OSHA.

If you have any hazard communication questions or safety questions about common chemicals, ask in the comments below or send an email to contact@ariadne-hces.com.

Do I have to follow OSHA if I only have a few employees? Do I have to follow OSHA if I have less than 15 employees?

Once you have an employee, if it is just one person, OSHA regulations begin to apply.

There are a few exceptions to specific rules, including a partial exemption for employers with 10 or fewer employees when it comes to some of the record-keeping requirements.

It is best to review what OSHA regulations may apply to your business when in the planning stages, as the regulations do vary somewhat by industry and specialization. It is also important when expanding or shifting the focus of your business, to check if there are any new OSHA regulations to consider.

Where can I find OSHA Regulations and Resources? How do I figure out OSHA as a small business?

There is an electronic version of the Code of Federal Regulations. Here is the OSHA Section.

OSHA has you covered with Small Business Resources for helping small businesses. 

There are also many blogs and articles, including the AHCES Blog, which have resources and guides for helping business owners and employees alike understand OSHA regulations.

If you need legal advice, seek a consult with a lawyer specializing in OSHA related claims.

What is the difference between State OSHA and Federal OSHA? Do I have to follow State OSHA?

Federal OSHA is run by the United States Federal Government as part of the Department of Labor. Federal OSHA sets the minimum requirements for workplace safety and health programs. By default, self-employed persons, state/local government workers, and workers covered by other federal programs are not covered by OSHA. It is primarily focused on private employers/employees.

State OSHA is run by an individual State Government (or US Territory Government). Each State OSHA may have additional clarifications amended to the Federal OSHA regulations or may impose additional or stricter requirements. The State OSHA may not have less stringent requirements.

Some State OSHA programs only cover State and Local Government Employees, with Private Sector Employees remaining under Federal OSHA.

State/Local Government Employee Only State OSHA Programs are:

  • Connecticut
  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Virgin Islands

Some State OSHA programs cover most Private Sector Employees and all State and Local Government Employees.

Private Sector and State/Local Government State OSHA Programs are:

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Hawaii
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • Oregon
  • Puerto Rico
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

OSHA has a Resource Center for State Plans, including relevant contact information.

When starting your business, expanding, or moving locations, check if your State has a State OSHA program.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Orange Oil Safety Guide

-
Image
What is Orange Oil? Orange oil, also known as orange essential oil and orange terpene, is a mixture of naturally occurring oils found in the rind of the orange fruit. The primary component of the oil mixture is d-limonene. Orange oil is popular as a fragrance used in aromatherapy, candle making, and soap making. It is also sold as a cleaning agent, often being the primary ingredient in many products sold as a "natural cleaner" or "natural degreaser." Orange terpene, as a mixture of naturally derived oils, has the CAS Number 8028-48-6. Pure D-Limonene has the CAS Number 5989-27-5. The CAS Number is used to identify orange oil as an ingredient on safety data sheets (SDS) and other safety documents. When looking for orange oil as an ingredient in fragrances, cleaning agents, or other products, look for the above CAS Numbers within the composition table. Notable Properties of Orange Oil Orange oil is valued for its fragrance, smelling like citrus, as well as being a deg
Read more

Mica Powder Safety Guide

-
Image
What is Mica Powder? Mica is a group of natural hydrous silicate minerals noted for their lustrous shine, which makes it a popular additive in powder pigments. Mica can be found both in cosmetics and in artists' pigments used in painting, epoxy resin, soapmaking, and other crafts. Mica groups several different naturally occurring hydrous silicate minerals, including the more common biotite and muscovite, as well as lepidolite, margarite, phlogopite, roscoelite, and zimmwaldite. Mica has a CAS Number 12001-26-2. The CAS Number is used to identify mica as an ingredient on safety data sheets (SDS) and other safety documentation. When looking for mica as an ingredient in pigments, colorants, finishes, or other materials, look for the CAS Number within the composition table. Notable Properties of Mica Powder Mica is most noted for its lustrous shine or shimmer due to the shape of the hydrous silicate crystals. It is naturally colorless and odorless, with any color or odor coming from na
Read more

Safety Glasses versus Safety Goggles - Which to Wear?

-
Image
Safety Glasses are on the Left and Safety Goggles are on the Right What is the Difference Between Safety Glasses and Safety Goggles? Safety glasses and safety goggles are both types of eye protection. Choosing which type to wear for a given task is an important part of safety, both in the workplace and when working on home projects or crafts. Safety glasses have a frame, lenses, and side shields. Safety glasses offer protection against impacts but do not offer protection against liquid splashes or fine dust. Safety glasses may be worn over prescription glasses, though this is generally uncomfortable and prone to slippage. It is possible to purchase safety glasses with prescription lenses. Safety goggles have a frame, lens, side shields, and a sealing surface. The sealing surface allows safety goggles to protect against liquid splashes and fine dust from reaching the eyes, as well as from impacts. Safety goggles can be worn over prescription glasses. It is also possible to purchase safe
Read more