Florida Occupational Safety and Heath Association Regulations

Most employers across the nation must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHAct), which was passed into law in 1970. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) put forth regulations that employers must follow. If individual states choose not to follow OSHA guidelines, the state must propose a program that is as effective as OSHA. According to OSHA's website, 22 states have approved plans in place, but Florida is not one of them. Therefore, employers in Florida must follow OSHA regulations.

Complaints: If an employee wants to file a complaint against his employer for not complying with OSHA regulations, it can be filed anonymously online, by mail or by phone. The employer cannot fire, transfer, demote or harass the employee who filed the complaint, according to OSHA. Once a complaint is filed, an inspector will come to make sure all regulations are being met. Employees are allowed to be present for such inspections, speak privately with the inspector and even attend the meeting between the inspector and the employer, under OSHA's law.

General Industry Regulations: Most businesses fall into the General Industry category, according to OSHA. The regulations that employers must meet include implementing training for use of hazardous materials, providing personal protection equipment (or PPE), recording and reporting injuries in the workplace, notifying employees of death or injury in the workplace, allowing employees to access medical records, refraining from discrimination in the workplace, reporting workplace death records and multiple hospitalization records to OSHA, properly displaying OSHA safety and hazard warnings in accordance with the laws and allowing inspection of the workplace in regards to an OSHA complaint.

Construction Regulations: Regulations for employers that do construction are the same as General Industry regulations, but they include many more regulations specific to construction. These additional regulations include proper illumination of construction areas, providing fire prevention and fire protection on the job site, providing appropriate first aid, medical attention and emergency aid to employees, maintaining housekeeping and sanitation requirements and meeting safety requirements during the installation of electrical wiring.

Maritime Regulations: In addition to the General Industry regulations listed above, employers in the Maritime Industry must adhere to several more requirements under OSHA. Other regulations include proper testing before entering confined spaces, proper display of warning signs and labels, ensuring that hot work testing is performed by a Coast Guard authorized individual or a Marine Chemist, containing flammable gases and liquids to certain designated areas, containing toxic or irritating materials, providing proper ventilation and safety gear for welding, adhering to guidelines for use of ladders or scaffolding, providing proper protection and lifesaving equipment on board and deciding on proper fire response and prevention.

Uncovered by OSHA: Individuals who are not covered by OSHA include those who are self-employed, family farm workers that do not employ outside help and individuals employed and therefore protected by a federal agency, such as the Coast Guard, Health Administration or FAA.

"Workers." OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor.
"Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)." General Industry, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor.
"Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)." Maritime Industry, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor.
"Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)." Construction Industry, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor.