By the date indicated on an OSHA citation, what must the employer do?

• A. Correct the hazards and certify they have been reduced or eliminated.
• B. Provide a new job description to employees.
• C. Increase wages for affected employees.
• D. Notify the union of the citation.

Answer: (A)

When OSHA cites a workplace for unsafe conditions, the required action is to fix the hazard and prove to OSHA that the problem has been reduced or eliminated by the date listed on the citation. Abatement means correcting the conditions—installing guards, changing procedures, adding engineering controls, providing training, or any other fix that makes the workplace safe. After making these changes, the employer must certify to OSHA that the hazard has been abated. This certification lets OSHA verify that corrective actions were completed and are effective.

The other options aren’t tied to the citation mandate. A new job description, wage increases, or notifying a union aren’t actions OSHA requires to address the cited hazard.