Help for Employers
Employer Responsibilities
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace.
OSHA covers most private sector employers and their workers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other U.S. jurisdictions either directly through Federal OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state program. Those not covered by the OSH Act include: self-employed workers, immediate family members of farm employers, and workers whose hazards are regulated by another federal agency.
- See key employer responsibilities.
- Understand your workers' rights.
- Use the Compliance Assistance Quick Start to generate an initial set of compliance assistance materials tailored to your workplace.
- Learn about OSHA rules/regulations, enforcement and inspections (video).
Compliance Assistance, Education, and Training
OSHA is committed to meeting employers where they are and empowering them to build strong safety cultures. Learn how OSHA is helping employers foster safer and healthier workplaces. Investments in worker safety and health can also reduce injuries and illnesses, and produce significant improvements to an organization's productivity and profitability.
OSHA services include:
- Compliance Assistance Specialists
- On-Site Consultation Program, a no-cost and confidential service for small and medium-sized businesses
- OSHA Outreach Training Program (10/30 hour cards) and OSHA Training Institute Education Centers
Employers may also want to learn about:
- The Small Business Safety and Health Handbook and other Small Business Resources
- The Business Case for Safety and Health and the $afety Pays Program
- Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs and the Safe + Sound Campaign
- OSHA's Cooperative Programs
- OSHA Publications and Videos
- Best Practices to Prevent & Address Retaliation (English) (Español)
Contact OSHA
Contact OSHA toll-free at 1-800-321-6742 (OSHA) or Ask OSHA a question. Find your nearest federal or State Plan office and consultation program.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I comply with OSHA’s standards and rules?
- How do I identify and control safety and health hazards in my business?
- How can I find out what standards are being cited in my industry and what industries and/or hazards OSHA is targeting for inspection?
- Where can I get information on safety and health training for my workers?
- Where can I find OSHA educational resources for workers?
- How do I keep up with OSHA rulemakings, enforcement activities, and outreach?
- How can I find more information?
Publications
Tools and Resources
Employer Injury and Illness Data
Common Hazard Citations
- See a list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards across all industries.
- Search for commonly cited workplace hazards with your employer's North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. Once you know your six-digit code, visit OSHA's Frequently Cited OSHA Standards page, enter your NAICS code and view the information for last year.
OSHA Law and Standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created OSHA, which sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards. There are OSHA standards for construction, agriculture, maritime and general industry. Employers also must comply with the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act, which requires them to keep their workplaces free of serious recognized hazards.