What does OSHA consider a "recognized" hazard in the workplace?

Recognition of a hazard is established on the basis of the following criteria:

• Industry Recognition: Recognized if the employer’s industry recognizes it.
• Employer Recognition: Established by evidence of actual employer knowledge, which may come from written or oral statements made by the employer or other management or supervisory personnel, or in instances where employees have clearly called the hazard to the employer’s attention.
• Common Sense Recognition: If not established through the industry or employer recognition, recognition can still be established if it is concluded that any reasonable person would have recognized the hazard. However, employers should not assume that accidents in the workplace are the result of a lack of common sense.

Another important question to ask about the nature of a hazard relates to whether it was “foreseeable’” A hazard for which OSHA issues a citation must be reasonable foreseeable.