The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry has revised its mandatory Job Safety and Health Protection posting to reflect current federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) law. As one of several states operating under an OSHA-approved State Plan, the protections and benefits offered under Virginia’s Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) law are required to be at least as effective as those offered under OSHA, thus necessitating the change.
OSHA’s current regulations require posters to include a statement specifically referencing the illegality of retaliating against an employee for using their rights under the law, including the right to raise health and safety concerns or report a work-related illness or injury. Although the rule became effective as of August 10 of this year, OSHA has chosen to delay enforcement until November 1, 2016 to allow additional time for outreach to the regulated community. Virginia’s September 30 update to its required posting allows regulated businesses just over a month to prepare for the upcoming enforcement and inform employees of their rights under the law.
Employers with an existing Virginia All-On-One™ Labor Law poster can update the required posting using Compliance Poster Company’s Virginia Job Safety and Health Protection Peel ‘N Post™.