Oklahoma Public Employees Have a Right to a Safe & Healthful Workplace Poster

Public Employees Have a Right 
to a Safe & Healthful Workplace  
The Oklahoma Occupational Health & Safety Standards Act of 1970 provides job safety and 
health  protection  for  public  workers.  Rules  have  been  adopted  which  include  both  employer 
and  employee  responsibilities.  These  include  state,  county,  city  and  public  school  agencies 
and certain public trusts.  Responsibility of Employers 
Public  employers  are  responsible  for  workplace  safety  and  health  of  employees.  This  includes  written  programs, 
processes and training. 
Responsibility of Employees 
Employees are responsible for following safety and health rules. This includes using equipment and personal protective 
devices properly. 
Unsafe Equipment and/or Procedures 
You have the right to bring unsafe equipment and/or procedures to the attention of a supervisor or the designated safety 
officer. 
Adverse Action Remedy
 
You have the right to file a complaint with the Oklahoma Department of Labor for any adverse action taken against you 
for reporting hazards.  Employees’ Right to File Complaint
 
You  have  the  right  to  file  a  complaint  with  the  Oklahoma  Department  of  Labor  concerning  investigations  of  unsafe 
working conditions.  Employees’ Right to View Certain Records
 
You  have  the  right  to  view  certain  records  regarding  workplace  injuries,  illnesses,  or  fatalities  for  your  agency.  A 
summary for this information must be posted at your work site each year from February through April.  Employees’ Right to View Their Files
 
You  have  the  right  to  view  or  make  copies  of  your  medical  records  or  records  of  your  exposure  to  toxic  and  harmful 
substances or conditions.  Required Posting of this Notice 
This notice must be posted in your workplace. 
Contact Information
 
You  may  contact  the  Oklahoma  Department  of  Labor  at  the  website  and  toll-free  number  below  or  contact  the 
Department direct: 3017 North Stiles, Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 , 405-521- 6100 , www.labor.ok.gov  IT’S THE LAW!
 
1-888	-269	-5353
www.labor.ok.gov  Oklahoma Department of Labor 
Public Employee Occupational Safety & Health Unit

The  Oklahoma  Occupational  Health  &  Safety  Standards  Act  of  1970  provides  job  safety  and  health  protection  for 
public  workers  by  promoting  safe  and  healthful  working  conditions.  As  authorized  by  the  Act,  rules  have  been 
adopted to prevent accidents in all public work places, including public schools and all political subdivisions of city, 
county and state government. These rules include standards contained in the Federal Occupational Safety & Health 
Act of 1970 (OSHA) and other safety and health standards derived from national consensus standards.   PUBLIC EMPLOYEE  
JOB SAFETY & HEALTH  
PROTECTION  
Each  public  employer   shall  establish  and  maintain  safe  and  healthful  workplace 
conditions. Appropriate safety devices shall be used where necessary to protect the 
life, health and safety of all public employees. No employer shall interfere with the 
use  of  any  method  or  proces s  adopted  for  the  protection  of  an  employee  or  any 
other  person  lawfully  within  such  place  of  employment.  No  employer  shall  fail  to 
obey  orders  necessary  to  protect  the  life,  safety  and  health  of  public  employees. 
Public  employers  must  allow  their  employee s  to  participate  in  mandatory  training 
and education programs.  
No public employee shall willfully remove, displace, damage, destroy, carry off or 
in  any  way  interfere  with  the  use  of  any  safety  device  or  safeguard  furnished  or 
provided  for  use  in  any  place  of  public  employment.  No  employee  or  agent  of 
employees shall interfere with any method or process adopted for the protection of 
any employee or of any other person lawfully within such place of employment. No 
employee shall fail to obey orders neces sary to protect the life, safety and health of 
public  employees.  Public  employees  must  participate  in  mandatory  training  and 
education programs.  
Without prior notification, autho rized inspectors from the Okla homa Department of 
Labor may, at any reasonabl e time, enter and inspect public places of employment 
in order to investigate matters deemed appropriate, and to determine if any person 
is violating any provision of the Act or any standards promulgated pursuant to it.  
Public employees have the right to   file a complaint requesting an investigation of 
unsafe or unhealth ful conditions. No adverse per sonnel action may be taken against 
any  employee  who  files  a  work -   place safety  or  health  complaint.  Employees  who 
believe they have been discriminated against  on this basis may file a complaint with 
the Oklahoma Department of Labor.  
If upon inspection the Oklahoma Department of Labor believes a public employer 
has  violated  the  Act,  a  notice  alleging  such  violation(s)  will  be  issued  to  the 
employer.  The  notice  will  specify  the  time  frame  in  which  each  violation  must  be 
corrected  or  a  response  provided.  The  Commissioner  of  Labor  may  require  the 
violation(s) be corrected immediately and/or the alleged violator appear before the 
Commissioner  or  a  designated  represe ntative  at  a  specified  time  and  place  to 
answer the charges.   The Attorney General, upon request of the Commissioner of Labor, shall bring an 
action against any person who violates any of the provisions of the Act or violates 
any  order or determination of the Commissioner promulgated pursuant to the Act.  
Any public employer or political subdivision failing to comply with any standards or 
interfering  with,  impeding  or  in  any  manner  obstructing  the  administration  of 
standards  pursuan t  to  the  provisions  of  the  Act  may  be  charged  with  a 
misdemeanor.  Additionally,  such  employers  or  political  subdivisions  may  be 
prevented, by cease and desist orders, from continuing such violation(s). Each day 
in which each violation occurs shall constitu te a separate violation.  
Safety and health education and training is the best way to help prevent and c ontrol 
occupational  accidents.  The  Department  of  Labor  provides  public  employers  w ith 
free  consultation  services.  The  Department  recognizes  the  outstandi ng  efforts  of 
participating em ployers .  
Public employers must maintain ac curate work - related injury, ex posure and illness 
incident  records.  Employers  are  to  use  the  OK - 300  recordkeeping  system  or  its 
substantial equivalent. Calendar year totals ( excluding names of employees) must 
be posted no later than February 1st of the year following the calendar year to which 
the report applies. This information must remain posted through the month of April. 
Public employers are required to maintain written s afety and health programs.  
This poster must be displayed in one or more conspicuous places where notices 
to  employees  are  customarily  posted.  For  assistance  or  additional  information, 
contact:  
Oklahoma Department of Labor  
Public Employee Occupational Sa fety & Health  
3017 North Stiles, Suite 100  
Oklahoma City, OK 73105  
405 - 521 - 6100  
888 - 269 - 5353  EMPLOYERS  
EMPLOYEES  
INSPECTIONS  
COMPLAINTS  
VIOLATIONS   PROPOSED PENALTIES  
VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE  
RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS  
POSTING INSTRUCTIONS  
Leslie Osborn
Commissioner of Labor  Oklahoma Department of Labor  
www.labor.ok.gov