Final answer:
Employers must maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses for 5 years, and these must be accessible for OSHA inspection. This is part of fulfilling OSHA requirements to ensure safe working environments, to educate workers about hazards, and allow enforcement through inspections and penalties.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements, employers are required to keep accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses. The records must be maintained for 5 years at the establishment and be available for inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Beyond the mere keeping of records, employers are required to provide safety training in a language workers can understand, conduct workplace tests like air sampling, supply personal protective equipment at no cost, offer hearing exams or medical tests as dictated by OSHA standards, post citations, and report serious incidents such as workplace fatalities or hospitalizations in a timely manner.
Fulfilling these requirements ensures that working conditions are safe and comply with regulations, and that workers are educated about potential hazards. OSHA's authority to enforce these rules comes from legislation that mandates the protection of workers from significant risks, and the organization employs a number of strategies to ensure compliance, including inspections, citations, and fines. Employers have rights following an OSHA inspection, including the ability to contest citations, and workers are empowered to file complaints, request inspections, and receive information about their rights and workplace hazards.