The Occupational Safety and Health Act is designed to keep workers safe when they’re on the job. Employers must meet safety standards and report injuries or fatalities on the job. Workers who suffer repetitive motion injuries may be covered by the act.
Are you covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act?
Most private-sector employees are covered by the act regardless of the state they are in. They are covered either by the OSHA-approved state plan or the federal OSHA plan. Any state plan that is in effect must be at least as effective as the federal plan; if not, then your attorney may talk with you about your options for seeking help with a workplace injury.
If you are a state or local government worker, you are not covered by OSHA. However, you do have protections from the OSH Act if you live in a state with an approved state plan — there are 22 states that have such a plan. If you work for a federal agency, then you are covered by OSHA.
What should I do if I’m injured on the job?
The first thing to do is to call a supervisor for help, call 911, or go to get medical assistance. If a fatality takes place in the workplace, then that fatality needs to be reported to the OSHA within eight hours of the fatality. If you are injured, your injury has to be reported within 24 hours if you suffered an amputation, loss of an eye or had to be hospitalized as an inpatient.
Our website has more information about OSHA and what to do if you’ve suffered an injury.
