Final answer:
OSHA requires fall protection for workers when they are exposed to a fall of 6 feet or greater, unless they are on a ladder, scaffold, or scissor lift. The standards cover various safety measures and training to prevent workplace injuries and exposure to hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets standards to ensure workplace safety for various industries, including Construction, General Industry, Maritime, and Agriculture. One of the critical requirements OSHA stipulates is the need for fall protection. OSHA mandates that unless an individual is working on a ladder, scaffold, or scissor lift, fall protection is required when exposed to falls of 6 feet or greater. This could include safety measures such as safety harnesses, safety lines, or guardrails.
Beyond fall protection, OSHA's standards cover a wide range of safety concerns. For instance, employers are required to prevent trenching cave-ins, exposure to specific infectious diseases, and ensure the safety of workers in confined spaces. They must also prevent exposure to harmful chemicals, ensure the installation of guards on machines, and provide adequate respirators or other necessary safety equipment. Furthermore, OSHA mandates training for employees in high-risk jobs in a language and vocabulary that workers can understand.
Employers are not only bound by these standards but also by the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act. This clause demands that employers keep their workplaces free of serious recognized hazards by taking all necessary precautions, especially when no specific OSHA standard applies to the hazard at hand.