Your Top Questions About OSHA Poster Requirements, Asked and Answered.
As an employer, you want to make sure your team is working in a safe and healthy environment. While looking for hazards on the floor is important, make sure you’re also checking the walls. By keeping up to date on OSHA poster requirements, you’ll be fulfilling both your legal and ethical obligations to remind employees of their safety rights.
We know OSHA poster requirements can be confusing, so we’ve answered your most common questions below. Remember, most private companies in the United States must adhere to OSHA poster requirements and failure to do so can result in costly penalties.
Q: What are the current OSHA poster requirements?
A: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires private companies with employees to display its “Job Safety and Health: It’s The Law” poster. The poster describes the employees’ rights and the employer’s obligations regarding safe working conditions, as mandatory under the OSH Act.
The poster includes contact information for employees. It will also show how to reach the Department of Labor for help regarding the OSH Act and other related queries.
If a company is in a state with an OSHA-approved plan, it may post the state version of the poster.
Q: Where should the poster be located?
A: It is compulsory under the OSHA poster requirements to display the poster in a location easily accessed by company employees. The poster must always be clearly visible.
For example, it can be displayed in a break room, a common area, an operations room. Or other such locations that provide easy access for employees. It is mandatory that the poster be physically displayed in the workplace. Digital presentations are not allowed.
Q: What if I have employees who work from home?
A: The law requires companies to serve all important notices to every employee, including those working from home and other remote locations. This makes it mandatory for companies to communicate to their remote workers the rights granted to them under the OSH Act by sending them copies of the OSHA poster.
However, the law does not specify whether companies should communicate the information to such employees on paper or electronically. Since the law does not specify the means for disseminating such notices, use your best judgment when making the decision.
Q: How do I get an OSHA poster?
A: You can reach out to OSHA using their toll-free number at 1-800-321-6742 (OSHA). You can also try the OSHA Publications Office at 202-693-1888. Both will provide you with a free printed copy of the OSHA poster.
Alternatively, you can download a copy of the poster from OSHA’s website to have printed. A printed copy should measure at least 8.5″ x 14″ inches and include 10-point type.
Never purchase an OSHA poster. There are reports of individuals posing as OSHA representatives and threatening to fine employers if they refuse to buy a poster from them. OSHA posters are always free of charge.
Q: Does the poster need to be posted in Spanish?
A: The law does not make it mandatory to display the poster in any foreign language. However, if you have Spanish-speaking employees, it is best to display a Spanish version of the poster, in addition to the English version.
Q: What are the penalties for not fulfilling OSHA poster requirements?
A: If you do not post the required documents from OSHA or violate the posting requirements in any way, you may receive a citation. Also, you will face a fine up to $7,000 per violation.
Q: Are there other poster requirements I should know about?
A: Depending on your state and industry, there may be other OSHA and safety-related postings you’re required to display. But because this varies from business to business, exploring OSHA’s industry-specific resources is a great place to start learning what is required of your individual business. Keep in mind that posting and process requirements in an office building. Note that it will be quite different than what’s required at a construction site.
As an employer, the safety of your workers is certainly a priority. Making sure you’re fulfilling OSHA poster requirements should also be a priority. It’s a simple way to help ensure the safety of your employees, create a healthy work environment, and avoid hefty penalties. Be sure to assess your OSHA compliance and stay up to date on any OSHA poster requirement changes.
If you do not have an HR partner, Tandem HR is happy to help you with this process. Fill out the form below or give us a call today at 630-928-0510.
Tandem HR is an IRS Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) providing hundreds of businesses with high-touch and custom HR solutions. We provide payroll, benefits, risk management, employee relations, and much more.
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