Answer to Question 1
The following list of employer responsibilities under the OSHAct is adapted from OSHA 2056 . Employers must do the following:
Meet the general duty responsibility to provide a workplace free from hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees and to comply with standards, rules, and regulations issued under the OSHAct.
Be knowledgeable of mandatory standards and make copies available to employees for review upon request.
Keep employees informed about OSHA.
Continually examine workplace conditions to ensure that they conform to standards.
Minimize or reduce hazards.
Make sure employees have and use safe tools and equipment (including appropriate personal protective equipment) that is properly maintained.
Use color codes, posters, labels, or signs as appropriate to warn employees of potential hazards.
Establish or update operating procedures and communicate them so that employees follow safety and health requirements.
Provide medical examinations when required by OSHA standards.
Provide the training required by OSHA standards.
Report to the nearest OSHA office within 48 hours any fatal accident or one that results in the hospitalization of five or more employees.
Keep OSHA-required records of injuries and illnesses and post a copy of the totals as required.
At a prominent location within the workplace, post OSHA Poster 2203 informing employees of their rights and responsibilities.
Provide employees, former employees, and their representatives access to the Log and Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.
Give employees access to medical and exposure records.
Give the OSHA compliance officer the names of authorized employee representatives who may be asked to accompany the compliance officer during an inspection.
Not discriminate against employees who properly exercise their rights under the act.
Post OSHA citations at or near the work site involved. Each citation or copy must remain posted until the violation has been abated or for three working days, whichever is longer.
Abate cited violations within the prescribed period.
Answer to Question 2
Employers may appeal a citation, an abatement period, or the amount of a proposed penalty. Before actually filing an appeal, however, an employer may ask for an informal meeting with OSHA's area director. The area director is empowered to revise citations, abatement periods, and penalties in order to settle disputed claims. If the situation is not resolved through this step, an employer may formalize the appeal. Formal appeals are of two types: (1) a petition for modification of abatement, or (2) a notice of contest.