Question

OSHA covers workers who are employed or controlled by employers. Who would not be covered under OSHA?

1) Independent contractors
2) Volunteers
3) Temporary workers
4) All of the above

Answer 1

Independent contractors and volunteers are not covered by OSHA, while temporary workers are. OSHA requires employers to safeguard employees against workplace hazards and to provide appropriate training and information. Workers have the right to a safe work environment and can file complaints without fear of retaliation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Workers not covered under OSHA include independent contractors and volunteers. Temporary workers, however, must be treated just like permanent employees, with staffing agencies and host employers sharing joint accountability to comply with health and safety requirements. OSHA's regulations are meant to protect employees from workplace hazards, and employers must adhere to standards that include providing fall protection, preventing trenching cave-ins, and minimizing exposure to harmful substances. Employers also have a legal duty to inform, train, and protect workers from health risks as well as to document and report certain workplace incidents to OSHA.

Workers' rights under the OSH Act include working in safe conditions, filing complaints about hazards, receiving training about workplace hazards in a language they can understand, and obtaining records related to workplace injuries and illnesses. Employers must comply with OSHA standards, keep their workplaces safe, inform workers about potential hazards, and are prohibited from retaliating against employees for exercising their OSHA rights.