Final answer:
OSHA ensures that businesses provide a safe working environment for employees, enforcing standards to protect against a variety of hazards. The regulations include various workplace safety measures, and employers are also responsible for informing and training employees on safety practices. Employees have the right to file safety complaints to OSHA without retaliation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a regulatory body whose mission is to ensure the safety and health of employees by enforcing standards and providing workplace safety training. OSHA's standards apply to various sectors, including Construction, General Industry, Maritime, and Agriculture, covering a wide range of hazards. Employers are required to protect their workers by providing fall protection, preventing exposure to infectious diseases and harmful chemicals, ensuring safe operation of machines, and more. Not only must employers provide a safe environment, but they must also inform employees about potential hazards in their workplaces and engage in active measures to eliminate or mitigate those hazards.
Moreover, businesses are responsible for following OSHA's General Duty Clause from the OSH Act, which mandates maintaining a workplace free from serious recognized hazards, even if no specific standard applies. Employees and their representatives have the right to file complaints if they believe there are serious hazards or standards violations, without fear of retaliation. Through its regulatory authority, OSHA requires employers to adhere to health and safety regulations, which include chemical hazard limits and safe equipment operation protocols.