October 17, 2011
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA publishes new and revised materials
on worker safety and health

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently published new and revised information that explains workers' and employers' rights, as well as how to protect workers from hazards in the construction, general and maritime industries. To order free copies of these materials online, visit OSHA's Publications page at http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.html, or call OSHA's toll free number at 800-321-6742.

OSHA's Small Entity Compliance Guide for Respiratory Protection Standard provides small businesses with a comprehensive step-by-step guide complete with checklists and commonly asked questions that will aid both employees and workers in small businesses with a better understanding of OSHA's respiratory protection standard.

It's the law of the land that workers have a right to a safe workplace. OSHA's Workers' Rights booklet describes the rights to which workers are legally entitled to under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The booklet covers many topics, including rights provided under OSHA standards, filing a complaint with OSHA, whistleblower protections, and educational and training resources available.

OSHA provides employers with information on their rights and responsibilities following a federal OSHA inspection. The booklet, Employer Rights and Responsibilities, explains what happens after an inspection, and defines the types of violations for which an employer may be cited as a result of an inspection.

OSHA has also published information to help protect construction, general industry and shipyard workers, and those who work outdoors.

• Laboratory Safety document and fact sheets (http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.athruz?pType=Industry&pID=117) advise laboratory managers on how to protect their workers from exposure to chemical, biological and physical hazards.
• Aerial Lifts Protect Yourself details measures employers must take to ensure safe use of aerial lifts by workers required to use this equipment.
• Aerial Lift Fall Protection Over Water in Shipyards QuickCard lists ways to protect workers using aerial lifts from injuries and death resulting from equipment failure, tip-over, falls and ejection.
• Permit-Required Confined Spaces in General Industry QuickCard explains what workers should do before entering a confined space, such as an underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, silos or manholes.
• Working Safely in Trenches QuickCard provides illustrations of protective systems that should be used to prevent worker injuries and death from trench cave-ins.
• Nail Gun Safety educates construction employers and workers on how to prevent work-related nail gun injuries.
• Protecting Workers from Heat Stress QuickCard and poster emphasizes the importance of employers providing workers with water, rest and shade to prevent workers from suffering heat illness, exhaustion and stroke.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.