When an employer in the United States receives an OSHA citation, what must be done with it at the workplace?

Introduction / Context:
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, known as OSHA, is responsible for enforcing workplace safety standards. When OSHA inspects a workplace and finds violations, it may issue a citation. General knowledge questions on world organisations sometimes test basic obligations of employers under such regulatory systems. This question asks what an employer must do with the OSHA citation once it is received.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We know that OSHA issues a citation when a violation is found.
• The options describe different possible actions an employer might take with that citation.
• One option states that the citation must be posted for 3 days or until the violation is fixed.
• Other options talk about signing and returning, mailing copies to workers, contesting in court or simply filing it away.
• We assume that OSHA rules require transparency so that workers can see the citation.

Concept / Approach:
OSHA regulations require that citations be posted at or near the place where the violation occurred so that affected employees are informed. The posting must remain for at least three working days or until the hazard is corrected, whichever is longer. The purpose is to ensure that workers are aware of safety issues and the employer's obligation to correct them. The correct approach is to choose the option that reflects this posting requirement, not one that hides or privately files the citation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the option that mentions posting the citation for a set period and until the violation is corrected. Step 2: Option A states that the citation must be posted for 3 days or until the violation is fixed, which matches OSHA requirements. Step 3: Options B and C emphasise returning or mailing documents, which are not the primary legal requirements for handling the citation. Step 4: Option D talks about contesting and filing with the courts. Employers may choose to contest, but it is not mandatory and does not answer the question about what must be done with the citation at the workplace. Step 5: Option E suggests filing the citation only in company records without informing workers, which clearly contradicts the posting requirement. Step 6: Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification is to recall that many safety regulations emphasise worker right to know. Posting the citation where the violation occurred is one way to ensure that right. OSHA guidance and training materials repeatedly mention the obligation to post citations for at least three working days or until the hazard is corrected, confirming option A as the accurate requirement.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because while the employer may communicate with OSHA in writing, the question is about the citation's display at the workplace, not about returning it.

Option C is wrong because mailing copies to each worker is not the standard requirement and would not replace the obligation to post the citation visibly.

Option D is wrong since contesting a citation is a legal right, not a mandatory step, and it does not address how employees are informed.

Option E is wrong because keeping the citation hidden in company records undermines transparency and does not comply with posting rules.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to treat the citation like a private legal notice that can be filed away or returned without worker involvement. Others assume that mailing copies to all workers would be enough. To avoid such errors, remember the key phrase associated with OSHA citations: they must be posted at or near the place of the violation for a minimum period, which gives workers clear notice of risks and corrective actions.

Final Answer:
When an employer receives an OSHA citation, it must be posted for 3 days or until the violation is fixed at or near the place where the violation occurred.