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Small Business Safety and Health Guidebook United States & Puerto Rico

By: Angel Berberena, Esq.

August 4, 2021

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) collaborated with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (“NIOSH”) to revise a handbook to provide small business employers with workplace safety and health information.

The Small Business Safety and Health Handbook highlights the benefits of implementing an effective safety and health program, provides self-inspection checklists for employers to identify workplace hazards and review important workplace safety and health resources for small businesses.

The handbook is meant as a general guide not to be used to assess compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 or other federal/local standards. The handbook does not create additional compliance requirements for employers, nor will OSHA cite employers for not following the handbook’s recommendations.

More than 20 states and territories, including Puerto Rico, operate State Plans (OSHA-approved workplace safety and health programs operated by individual states) covering most private sector workers and state and local government workers. See here for list of State Plans. Small business employers in a state or territory with a State Plan may be subject to different or additional requirements. However, OSHA expects employers in all states and territories to benefit from using the handbook.


Goldman Antonetti & Córdova, LLC stands ready to assist you and your business to adjust to Puerto Rico’s regulatory and legal changes. If you need further assistance in this area, please contact any of the following members of our Firm:

Angel Berberena
[email protected]
787.759.4143

Javier Vazquez
[email protected]
787.759.4113

Howard Pravda
[email protected]
787.759.4110

Luis Antonetti
[email protected]
787.759.4111

Vicente Antonetti
[email protected]
787.759.4112

Romel Meléndez
[email protected]
787.759.4115

Luis Ortiz Abreu
[email protected]
787.759.4110

Gabriel Quintero
[email protected]
787.759.4130

Disclaimer: Although the information included in this document may concern legal issues, it is not a legal opinion or professional advice and clients shall not use it as such. We assume no responsibility or liability of any kind for any information contained herein, and we expressly disclaim all liability for any claim for damages arising from the use, reference to, or reliance on, such information. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.