What does the "OSHA General Duty Clause" require from employers?

The "OSHA General Duty Clause" requires employers to maintain a workplace free from serious recognized hazards. This clause is part of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and emphasizes the responsibility of employers to provide a safe and healthful working environment for their employees.

The essence of this requirement is that if there are known hazards that could potentially cause serious harm, employers must take the necessary steps to mitigate these risks. This includes identifying, assessing, and addressing any conditions that may pose a threat to worker safety. The intention of the clause is to serve as a catch-all provision that can be applied in situations where specific standards may not exist but where a serious hazard is recognized.

Other options, while related to workplace safety, do not encapsulate the core responsibility outlined in the General Duty Clause. For example, filing workplace incidents or providing annual training are important components of workplace safety programs but are not specified by this clause. Similarly, allowing employees to take breaks is more a matter of labor standards and not directly related to the overarching duty to maintain a hazard-free work environment as stipulated by OSHA.