The United States Department of Labor has among its many duties that of protecting workers in the workplace. The agency that is responsible for providing safety rules and guidelines, enforcing workplace compliance with safety rules and guidelines and in providing training for workplace instructors is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It has among its many duties to fine employers for violating guidelines mandated by them. These regulations are taken seriously on the work site since violations can result in serious legal problems from the agency, which can even close a workplace if found to be unsafe for workers. Since these violations can also cost employees wages in time off, following these rules is also to their benefit.
Employers are, however, basically responsible for enforcing these rules on their work sites by making sure that their employees follow the proper guidelines for safety in their work place. A list of required rules should be posted in workplaces where all employees can see them. Also, training in these safety procedures is in some work sites necessary for governmental compliance. Training by instructors who are certified by OSHA can be had by satisfying OSHA 10 training or OSHA 30 training courses in safety programs using materials prepared by the agency. 10 hour courses are to be taken in two days and 30 hour courses are to be taken in two weeks.
OSHA 30 training courses are needed for compliance and can cover courses ranging from Personal Protection Equipment to the Proper Handling and Disposal of Hazardous Waste Materials. Usually, employers will select one of their employees to become a certified instructor. To become certified, a person needs to sign up for these training courses. They include material and instruction by OSHA or by OSHA sponsored schools. Some of the schools or programs offering these courses are available online at a price for the entire 30 hour course. The OSHA 30 training courses include a test at the completion before being certified as having passed it.
Since the United States Department of Labor takes its regulations very seriously, employers and employees have a better chance of not being injured on the job. Governmental inspections and mandates are very common on the work site. The safety of workers is the agency's primary responsibility, as well as the safety of the public. The public welfare is part of the agency's mission, as shown by its many courses in making the work area safe and less hazardous to the public it serves.