The General Duty Clause requires employers to furnish a workplace free from what hazards?

The General Duty Clause requires employers to furnish a workplace free from what hazards?

• A. Free from known hazards
• B. Free from potential hazards
• C. Free from recognized hazards
• D. Free from imminent hazards

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that the General Duty Clause requires a workplace to be free from hazards that are recognized as hazards and could cause death or serious physical harm. A recognized hazard is one that the employer knows about or should reasonably know about, and that OSHA (and industry safety practice) already acknowledges as a risk. It’s not enough for a hazard to be merely possible or hypothetical; it must be a hazard that is recognized as posing real danger in the workplace. So, the focus is on hazards that are acknowledged as dangerous and could lead to serious harm if not addressed. Imminent hazards are indeed urgent, but the General Duty Clause centers on recognized hazards that could cause serious harm, not every immediate danger in every moment.

The main idea here is that the General Duty Clause requires a workplace to be free from hazards that are recognized as hazards and could cause death or serious physical harm. A recognized hazard is one that the employer knows about or should reasonably know about, and that OSHA (and industry safety practice) already acknowledges as a risk. It’s not enough for a hazard to be merely possible or hypothetical; it must be a hazard that is recognized as posing real danger in the workplace.

So, the focus is on hazards that are acknowledged as dangerous and could lead to serious harm if not addressed. Imminent hazards are indeed urgent, but the General Duty Clause centers on recognized hazards that could cause serious harm, not every immediate danger in every moment.