Final answer:
The OSHA General Duty Clause mandates that every employer must maintain a workplace free from recognized hazards that can cause serious harm or death to employees. This clause functions alongside specific OSHA standards to ensure overall worker safety and is enforced even when no specific standard applies to a hazard. Employers have a clear responsibility to reduce risks and inform and protect their workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
General Duty Clause of the OSHA Standard
The general duty clause of the OSHA standard requires each employer to provide to each of his employees a workplace that is free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. This clause is a critical component of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), which aims to protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job. Employers are responsible for finding and eliminating safety and health issues primarily by adopting changes in working conditions rather than depending solely on personal protective equipment.
Employers must also ensure they comply with specific OSHA standards, such as providing fall protection, preventing exposure to harmful substances, and ensuring safety in confined spaces. Should a situation arise that is not explicitly covered by an OSHA standard, the General Duty Clause applies, mandating that employers still maintain a safe work environment. Moreover, employers are expected to inform workers about chemical hazards, provide necessary safety training in an accessible language, and follow certain procedures when dangerous incidents occur.
By imposing these requirements, OSHA intends to significantly reduce workplace hazards and ensure a safer working environment for all employees.