1.2 Inspections, Citations and Rights

OSHA inspects workplaces to enforce its standards, nearly always without notice. The priorities are, in order: imminent danger, fatalities and catastrophes, worker complaints, programmed inspections of high hazard industries, and follow up inspections. A construction site is a high hazard setting, so inspections there are common.

• An employer cited for a violation must post the citation at or near the place of the violation for three working days or until the violation is corrected, whichever is longer.
• The employer must correct the violation and pay any penalty, or contest the citation, the penalty or the date for correction in writing within 15 working days.
• Workers may ask OSHA for an inspection if they believe that they are in imminent danger or that a violation threatens physical harm. The OSH Act protects them from retaliation for doing so.
• Employers must keep workers informed with the OSHA poster, notices of variances and copies of citations.

Worker responsibilities and rights

Workers must read the poster, follow the employer's safety rules, wear the required equipment, follow safe work practices, report hazards to the supervisor or to OSHA if they are not fixed, and cooperate with inspectors. They have the right to work in conditions that are not seriously harmful, to receive training in a language they understand, to raise concerns, and to complain to OSHA.

A study aid, not published or endorsed by IOSH or OSHA. Laws and limits differ between countries.