Question

In an insurance company, there are few employee hazards according to its HR manager. In fact, the HR manager believes there are no federal laws that will impact safety in its operations. As the associate HR manager, what recommendation would you make to your boss?

A. Stay the course. The HR manager is right about the freedom from federal oversight.
B. Reconsider the conclusion. Federal oversight and office safety laws say that the employer must conduct safety training for all employees.
C. Stay the course. The employer is specifically exempt. All insurance companies are excluded from coverage under federal safety laws.
D. Reconsider the conclusions. OSHA requires all employers to provide a safe workplace in compliance with the General Duty Clause.

Answer 1

The HR manager should be informed that OSHA requires all employers to provide a safe workplace and comply with safety and health standards, and that failure to do so can lead to penalties.

Step-by-step explanation:

As the associate HR manager, my recommendation would be to reconsider the conclusions about the lack of federal laws impacting safety in the operations of the insurance company. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) mandates that all employers, regardless of the industry, must provide a safe workplace and comply with safety and health standards established by OSHA. This includes conducting hazard assessments, providing safety training, and implementing necessary measures to eliminate or reduce risks. Insurance companies are not specifically exempt from these federal safety laws. The HR manager should be advised that OSHA requires employers to keep their workplaces free of serious recognized hazards, which is covered by the General Duty Clause, even when no specific OSHA standard applies.

Employers are also responsible for keeping records of work-related injuries and illnesses, performing workplace tests such as air sampling, offering personal protective equipment at no cost, and providing necessary training in a language and vocabulary that workers can understand. Failing to adhere to these standards can result in inspections by OSHA, complaints filed by employees, potential fines, and other penalties, all significant risks to the company's operations and reputation.