Resources for Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC)

The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) within the federal government adjudicates disputes arising between business owners and the Department of Labor. These disputes concern federal inspections of workplace conditions in which employers are cited for having violated OSHA standards.

Administrative law judges within the OSHRC preside over hearings during which employers and OSHA inspectors present evidence and testimony and then render decisions based upon those proceedings. The hearings are in close proximity to the business location where the employee claims the OSHA violations took place. If a dispute between your business and the Department of Labor comes before the OSHRC, you’ll need to learn as much as possible about how this independent federal agency works:

1. Deal with state offices of the Occupational Health and Safety Review Commission to file an employer's appeal.

2. Locate past decisions made by the US Occupational Safety and Health Review Agency.

3. Discover the rules governing OSHRC official proceedings.

Contact one of the OSHRC state agencies to appeal an adverse decision

Employers may appeal any of the OSHRC decisions rendered by a particular state's OSHRC administrative panel. These regional offices supply OSHRC information on specific citations as well, such as construction site citations.
Overview of Appeal Process in California tells you how to file an appeal and how to communicate with the appeals board. New Jersey Plan explains how employers in that state may seek review of an OSHA citation.

Find out what you're up against when dealing with the OSHRC

Review past decisions by the OSHRC to understand material issues that affected those decisions and to anticipate future results.
OSHRC Decisions allows you to search online for the Agency’s past administrative decisions. You can search by key word or by venue. Consider the Strategic Plan outlining how the Commission approaches review of your case.

File your case with the US OSHRC

The OSHRC maintains rules for proceedings that it oversees, such as how to file papers with its court, preparing pleadings and motions, and even procedures you can follow once a decision on your case has been made.
Rules of Procedure provides a detailed explanation of the scope of the OSHRC’s rules for hearing disputes. Review the time limits, filing requirements and approved format for the papers you must file with the Commission. Important Contact Information from the OSHRC identifies the supervising personnel you’ll need to speak with for assistance in complying with the rules.

• Once an administrative law judge within the occupational safety & health review commission renders a decision on your case, you may appeal it and request further review by one of the Agency's commissioners.