OSHA Compliance for Florida Businesses

Florida employers must comply with OSHA laws and OSHA regulations to ensure their employees work in safe environments. Failing to meet these standards can lead to severe penalties, lawsuits, and harm to their reputation. Explore OSHA compliance for Florida businesses and learn how you can protect your company.

OSHA Laws and Regulations

OSHA regulations can be broken down into several categories.

• General duty clause. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers are required to provide a workplace free of hazards that can cause death or serious injury. This applies even if a specific OSHA regulation does not address the hazard.
• Specific OSHA standards. These include detailed requirements for machine guarding, personal protective equipment, and fall protection. Hazard communication, exposure limits for hazardous substances, and electrical safety are also included.
• Industry-specific standards. Certain industries have additional rules, including construction, maritime, and agriculture industries.
• Record-keeping requirements. Employers must keep accurate records of workplace injuries and illnesses. This helps OSHA identify high-risk industries and job sites.

Florida Employment Laws and OSHA

While OSHA is federal, Florida has its own set of employment laws that intersect with workplace safety. Workers’ compensation laws require employers to provide coverage for work-related injuries. Florida anti-retaliation laws protect employees who report unsafe conditions or file OSHA complaints. In addition, child labor laws restrict hazardous work for minors.

Employers need to comply with both federal OSHA standards and relevant state laws.

Common OSHA Violations in Florida

Some of the most frequently cited violations in Florida can help employers avoid costly mistakes. These include: 

• Fall protection failures. This is the most common workplace safety issue, occurring most frequently in construction, maintenance, and roofing industries.
• Lack of hazard communication. This includes the failure to inform employees about chemical risks or to provide safety sheets.
• Scaffolding hazards. Improper assembly, lack of guardrails, unstable footing
• Respiratory protection issues. Not providing or properly fitting respirators
• Electrical wiring problems. Unsafe wiring methods or a lack of proper grounding

OSHA has around 1,800 OSHA inspectors who partner with worksites across the country. Inspections are typically unannounced and can be triggered by employee complaints, severe injuries or fatalities, and referrals from other agencies.

During an inspection, the inspector explains the purpose and scope before examining the workplace and noting potential violations. The inspector discusses findings and possible citations. Employers can contest citations within an allowed timeframe.

Achieving OSHA Compliance for Florida Businesses

Employers can take a systematic approach toward meeting OSHA regulations. You need to identify applicable OSHA standards and determine which apply to your industry and operations. Then, you can conduct a workplace hazard assessment, where you evaluate risks, including slip hazards, chemical exposure, noise levels, and ergonomic concerns.

Depending on the industry, OSHA may require written safety plans, such as hazard communication, fire prevention, and lockout/tag out procedures. Employees must be trained on all emergency procedures, equipment use, and how to recognize hazards.

Employers need to keep injury and illness logs up to date and address hazards before they lead to incidents. It’s important to investigate workplace injuries or near misses, identify their causes, and implement corrective measures.

Penalties for Non-Compliance With OSHA Regulations

Failing to meet OSHA compliance for Florida businesses can result in substantial fines and criminal charges, especially in extreme cases that involve a worker’s death. In 2023, Florida reported 306 work fatalities. Employers must also correct hazards by a specific date.

Injured employees may file a civil claim for lost damages if negligence is proven.

Why You Should Choose Wilson, Washburn, & Forster Insurance, Inc.

While legal guidance is important, insurance protection is another part of a comprehensive safety strategy. That’s where Wilson, Washburn, & Forster Insurance, Inc., can help.

We hold decades of experience serving Florida’s business community. Our team understands the unique risks companies face under OSHA laws and Florida employment laws. We work closely with employers to design insurance solutions that cover OSHA-related risks, workers’ compensation claims, and general liability.

At Wilson, Washburn, & Forster Insurance, Inc., we help clients develop proactive risk management programs that align with OSHA compliance for Florida businesses. Partnering with us helps Florida businesses gain not only financial protection but also strategic guidance to maintain a safe and compliant workplace.

FAQs

Q: What Must Employers Do to Comply With OSHA?

A: To comply with OSHA, employers need to provide safe and healthy workplaces free from hazards. They must follow OSHA standards, rules, and regulations. They must also conduct regular safety inspections and correct hazards promptly.

Employers should provide necessary safety equipment, training, and protective measures. Compliance also means cooperating with OSHA inspections, providing access to records, and ensuring employees stay informed about workplace hazards.

Q: What Are the Three Main Things OSHA Requires Employers to Provide?

A: OSHA requires employers to provide three main things. One, they must provide a workplace free from serious hazards that can cause injury or death. Two, they should supply the necessary safety equipment and personal protective equipment for employees at no cost and ensure that it’s properly maintained. Three, they need to offer effective safety training in a language and vocabulary that the workers can understand.

Q: Does Florida Follow OSHA Regulations?

A: Florida is under federal OSHA jurisdiction because the state doesn’t have an occupational safety and/or health program of its own that is OSHA-approved. This means private-sector employers and employees in Florida must abide by federal OSHA regulations and are subject to OSHA protection standards. OSHA sets and enforces workplace safety standards, investigates complaints, and conducts inspections throughout the state.

Q: What Information Does OSHA Require Employers to Give to Workers?

A: OSHA requires employers to inform workers about their rights, workplace hazards, and protective measures. This includes displaying the OSHA job and safety laws. They must also inform employees about emergency procedures, the proper use of any relevant protective equipment, and the process for filing an OSHA complaint without worry of retaliation.

Contact Wilson, Washburn, & Forster Insurance, Inc.

Combining legal guidance from a qualified employment lawyer with the risk management and insurance solutions of our team at Wilson, Washburn, & Forster Insurance, Inc., gives you a great foundation for protecting your business. Contact us today to schedule a review of your company’s safety protocols and procedures. We can help you better understand OSHA compliance for Florida businesses.