4. Workplace Safety Regulations The Occupational Safety and
Health Act requires that employers provide a workplace "free
from recognized, serious hazards." According to the Department
of Labor, most private industries are required to abide by the
act and are monitored by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration or one of its state branches. OSHA does not cover
the self-employed.5. Hiring and Firing Labor Laws The Civil
Rights Act of 1964 prohibits hiring or firing based on race,
color, religion, sex, and national origin but only applies to
employers with 15 or more workers. The same goes for federal
regulations barring discrimination against people with
disabilities. There are several other federal anti-
discrimination laws, and local and state governments often have
stricter government regulations. You should review your local
and state anti-discrimination laws, which you can find at the
library and through state labor agencies. The Department of
Labor’s Web site for small business is a good place to