Which of the following is a central concept of OSHA that aims to ensure safe and healthy workplaces for employees?

• A. General Duty Clause
• B. OSHA 301
• C. OSHA 999
• D. Hazardous Materials Standard

Answer: (A)

The central idea is the General Duty Clause, which establishes OSHA’s broad obligation for employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious harm. This clause works as a safety net, applying when there isn’t a specific rule for a hazard or when hazards are new or evolving. That makes it the foundational concept because it guides ongoing worker protection beyond individual standards.

So, while specific tools or standards matter—like incident-report forms or particular regulations about hazardous materials—the General Duty Clause is the overarching principle that ensures safety even when a hazard isn’t covered by a named standard.