The Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed on December 29, 1970 and codified in 29 USC 651. This act designates the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as the convening authority to establish standards, enforce those standard, and to assist employers with compliance issues.
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Occupational Safety & Health (TOSHA) enforces federal OSHA regulatory requirements in the State of Tennessee. In most cases, the State of Tennessee enforces the federal OSHA requirements exactly as written, however, in some cases, Tennessee has adopted additional requirements, which are described in Rule 0800-01-01. The Tennessee Hazardous Chemical Right-To-Know Law is one example of a State of Tennessee regulation that lists additional requirements to those described in the US OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
Employees, supervisors, management, and contractors of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center are all responsible for compliance with OSHA and TOSHA regulations.
The General Duty Clause
OSHA compliance is not limited to just the standards published in 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry) and 29 CFR 1926 (Construction). OSHA also has a General Duty Clause, which provides broad based responsibilities for worker safety.
The OSHA General Duty Clause states:
(a) Each employer
(1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees;
(2) shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.
(b) Each employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this Act which are applicable to his own actions and conduct.
Select OSHA Topics addressed on this web site
The are several OSHA topics addressed on this web site, but it should be noted that these topics in no way cover all areas regulated by OSHA.
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Hazard Communication
- Laboratory Standard
- Respiratory Protection
- Hearing Protection
- Lockout/Tagout
- Confined Spaces
- Job Hazard Analysis
- Indoor Air Quality
Questions about OSHA compliance
- If you work in a VUMC hospital or clinic, please contact someone in the Hospital & Clinic Safety Section.
- If you work in any other VU or non-clinical VUMC area, please contact Mark Bogard (mark.j.bogard@vumc.org).