Labor Law Center Blog » Blog Archive » Iowa OSHA

Iowa OSHA - Health and Safety Protection

August 20th, 2005 Posted by Jane

The Iowa Division of Labor Services administers the Health and Safety Protection laws of Iowa, which provide job safety and health protection for workers. The Division of Labor adopts Federal occupational safety and health standards as State of Iowa standards.

I understand that employers must furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards which cause or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees and comply with occupational safety and health standards.

Employees, for their part, must comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations and orders issued which are applicable to the employee’s own actions and conduct.

The Iowa Hazardous Chemicals Risk Right-to-Know Law gives employees a right to information regarding hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Employers are to provide this information upon request.

To ensure compliance with safety and health requirements, the Iowa Division of Labor Services conducts periodic inspections. An authorized representative of the employer and a representative authorized by the employees must be given an opportunity to accompany the inspector for the purpose of aiding the inspection.

I read that employees have the right to bring unsafe conditions to the attention of the compliance safety and health officer making the inspection. Complainant’s names will be kept anonymous upon request. Employees may not be discharged or discriminated against in any way for filing safety and health complaints or otherwise exercising their rights under the law.

Employees who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor within 30 days of the alleged discrimination.

If a violation has occurred, I know that a citation of alleged violations and proposed penalties must be issued promptly to the employer. Each citation specifies a time period within which the alleged violation must be corrected. Citations issued by the Iowa Division of Labor Services must be prominently displayed at or near the place of violation.

My research shows that penalties of up to $7,000 are assessed for each act of non-compliance. A willful violation resulting in the death of an employee is a serious misdemeanor and may result in a fine of $250 - $1,500 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

The employer must display a poster stating the Iowa OSHA laws in a prominent place in the workplace.