Final answer:
When identifying hazards, an employer must first try to eliminate the hazards as per OSHA's regulations, aiming to make the workplace safe by addressing and mitigating risks without immediate reliance on PPE.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a potential or existing hazard to workers is identified during a hazard assessment, an employer must take measures to first eliminate the hazards, following OSHA's guidelines. This concept is part of an employer's responsibility to provide a safe workplace under the OSH Act. Employers are required to find and correct safety and health problems by adopting measures that aim to eliminate the hazards entirely or reduce their impact. These measures could include switching to safer chemicals, enclosing processes to contain harmful fumes, or using ventilation systems to clear the air, before relying on personal protective equipment (PPE). These steps align with enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), which demands general health and safety regulations be followed in the workplace, informing workers about potential hazards and how to operate safely.