OSHA jurisdiction explained

August 20, 2012

Photo by Victoria Stanish - Compliance Assistance Specialist Mark F. Harmon of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Erie office explains the organization's jurisdiction at a meeting of the Elk County Gas Task Force.

RIDGWAY - Compliance Assistance Specialist Mark F. Harmon of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Erie office recently explained the organization's jurisdiction and procedures to members of the Elk County Gas Task Force.
"OSHA is an agency within the Department of Labor. We have the responsibility, we cover workplace safety. The first thing that we would have to establish is that we have a company and we have an employee working for that company. We’re concerned about the employee’s safety," Harmon said.
According to Harmon, nearly all private-sector employers and employees in the 50 U.S. states and the Virgin Island, Guam, and Puerto Rico are covered under OSHA standards. However, he said there are some people and situations that are not subject to OSHA inspection, including the self-employed.