Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Act (Public Sector) Poster

MARYLAND	
OCCUPATIONAL	
SAFETY and HEALTHACT	safety
and
health
protection
on the
job ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND COPIES OF THE ACT, SPECIFIC 
MARYLAND  OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH   STANDARDS, 
AND OTHER   APPLICABLE   REGULATIONS   MAY BE OBTAINED FROM	
THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY
              10946 Golden West Drive, Suite 160 Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031Phone: 410-527-2091	
Complaints about the Public Employer Self-inspection Program may be made to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry at the above address.	
The Maryland Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1973 provides job safety and
health protection for workers through the
promotion of safe and healthful working
conditions throughout the State.
Requirements of the Act include the
following:	
Public
Employers:	
Each public employer shall furnish to each of
his or her employees employment and a
place of employment free from recognized
hazards that are causing or are likely to
cause death or serious harm to employees;
and shall comply with occupational safety
and health standards issued under the Act.	
Public
Employees:	
Each public employee shall comply with all
occupational safety and health standards,
rules, regulations and orders issued under
the Act that apply to his or her own actions
and conduct on the job.
The Commissioner of Labor and Industry has
the primary responsibility for administering
the Act and issuing occupational safety and
health standards.	
Inspection:	The Act provides that the State Government
and each of its political subdivisions or any
agency thereof shall develop, conduct and
maintain a program of self-inspection.  This
program is to be approved and monitored by
the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.
The Act requires that a representative or
representatives authorized by the employees
be given an opportunity to participate in the
inspection procedure.
Where there is no authorized employee
representative, the inspector shall consult
with a reasonable number of employees
concerning safety and health conditions in
the workplace.	
Complaint:	Public employees or their representatives
have the right to file a complaint with the
Commissioner requesting an inspection if
they believe unsafe or unhealthful conditions
exist in their workplace.  The Commissioner
will withhold names of employees
complaining on request.	
The Act provides that employees may not be
discharged or discriminated against in any
way for filing safety and health complaints or
otherwise exercising their rights under the
Act.
A public employee who believes he or she
has been discriminated against may file a
complaint with the Commissioner within 30
days of the alleged discrimination.	
Citation:	If upon an inspection performed by the
Division of Labor and Industry, the
Commissioner believes a public employer
has violated the Act, a citation alleging such
violations shall be issued to the public
employer.  Each citation shall specify a time
period within which the alleged violation must
be corrected.
The MOSH citation must be prominently
displayed at or near the place of alleged
violation for three days, or until it is
corrected, whichever is later, to warn
employees of dangers that may exist there.	
Voluntary
Activity:	
The Act encourages efforts by labor and
management to reduce injuries and illnesses
arising out of employment.  The
Commissioner of Labor and Industry
encourages employers and employees to
reduce workplace hazards voluntarily and to
develop and improve safety and health
programs in all workplaces and industries.
Such cooperative action would initially focus
on the identification and elimination of
hazards that could cause death, injury, or
illness to employees and supervisors.	
PUBLIC SECTOR	
MOSH TRAINING and EDUCATION
10946 Golden West Drive, Suite 160 Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031Phone: 410-527-2091