OSHA Stretching Poster: What It Is, What OSHA Actually Requires, and How to Use a Stretch-and-Flex Poster Correctly
If you’re searching for an OSHA stretching poster (often called a stretch and flex poster), you’re likely trying to reduce strain injuries, support a safer workplace, and stay compliant with workplace posting rules. The key detail: OSHA does not generally mandate a “stretching poster” as a required workplace notice—but stretch posters can still be a practical part of a compliant safety program when they’re used alongside the postings OSHA and other agencies do require.
This guide explains what an OSHA stretching poster is, where it fits into compliance, and how to implement stretch-and-flex materials in a way that helps (rather than distracts from) required postings.
What Is an “OSHA Stretching Poster” (and Why Employers Use One)?
An OSHA stretching poster is typically an informational safety poster that shows warm-up, mobility, or “toolbox talk” style stretching routines for common job tasks—lifting, overhead work, repetitive motion, prolonged standing, or computer-based work.
Employers use stretch-and-flex posters to:
- Reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and soft-tissue injuries
- Standardize a daily warm-up routine for crews (construction, warehouse, manufacturing)
- Support ergonomics and safe-lifting training
- Reinforce safety culture in high-turnover or multi-shift environments
These posters are best treated as supplemental safety communications, not replacements for required labor law notices. For a broader view of what qualifies as compliant postings (and how digital posting works), see SwiftSDS’s guide to Electronic posters and the overview of a compliant Labor law poster program.
Does OSHA Require a Stretch and Flex Poster?
No—OSHA’s poster requirement is different
OSHA’s primary “required poster” is the Job Safety and Health Protection notice. In most workplaces, OSHA requires employers to display the OSHA “Job Safety and Health: It’s the Law” poster (or approved state-plan equivalent), informing workers of their rights and how to report hazards.
SwiftSDS maintains a detailed explainer and access options for the Job safety and health protection poster, which is the compliance-critical posting most employers mean when they say “the OSHA poster.”
Where stretching fits into OSHA compliance
Even though OSHA doesn’t mandate stretching posters, stretch-and-flex programs can support OSHA-aligned obligations such as:
- General Duty Clause (OSH Act Section 5(a)(1)): requires employers to provide a workplace “free from recognized hazards” likely to cause serious harm.
- Training and hazard communication expectations embedded across standards (industry-specific): posters can reinforce training, but they don’t replace it.
- Recordkeeping awareness: stretch posters sometimes remind workers to report symptoms early, which can help proactive safety management (without changing OSHA recordkeeping rules).
In short: a stretch and flex poster is a best practice tool, not a required legal notice.
How to Use a Stretch and Flex Poster Without Creating Posting Compliance Risk
1) Keep required notices prominent and accessible
A common compliance mistake is letting “nice-to-have” safety posters crowd out mandatory notices. Required postings should be:
- In conspicuous locations
- Readable (size/contrast)
- Accessible to all shifts and, where applicable, remote staff through approved electronic access methods
To confirm what’s required in your jurisdiction, start with Federal (United States) Posting Requirements, then check your state page (examples: California (CA) Posting Requirements, New York (NY) Posting Requirements, and Ohio (OH) Labor Law Posting Requirements).
2) Place stretch posters near the point of use—separate from legal notices
Best practice is to post stretch-and-flex materials where the activity occurs:
- Timeclock/breakroom entry (pre-shift huddle)
- Near PPE stations or tool cribs
- In warm-up areas, gyms, or safety meeting spaces
Keep your legally required notices consolidated in a dedicated compliance area (physical or digital), while placing the stretch poster near operational workflows.
3) Customize stretches to job tasks and validate with a safety lead
Generic stretches may not fit the demands of a specific job. Make it actionable:
- Create 5–8 stretches that match the top risk exposures (lifting, kneeling, overhead work)
- Include “do not stretch through pain” and stop guidance
- Ensure supervisors know this is not medical advice and doesn’t replace first aid reporting or injury procedures
4) Document the stretch-and-flex routine as part of safety training
A poster is most effective when paired with a brief written process:
- When stretches occur (e.g., first 5 minutes of shift)
- Who leads
- Where attendance is recorded (if you record it)
- How employees report discomfort
This supports a defensible “reasonable steps” narrative under OSHA expectations—especially if your workplace has repetitive-motion risk.
Stretch-and-Flex Posters vs. Required Labor Law Notices: Don’t Confuse the Two
An OSHA stretching poster is often displayed in the same spaces as required federal/state notices. Make sure you also post the labor law and wage/hour items that apply to your workforce. For example, many employers must post the federal Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor Standards Act notice (and provide Spanish where appropriate, such as Derechos de los Trabajadores Bajo la Ley de Normas Justas de Trabajo (FLSA)).
If you operate in Massachusetts, examples of additional required notices may include:
- Massachusetts Wage & Hour Laws
- Notice to Employees
- Massachusetts Workplace Safety and Health Protection for Public Employees (public-sector applicability)
For HR teams building a safety-focused compliance wall or digital display, SwiftSDS’s roundup of Health posters can help you separate “required” from “recommended” materials.
Digital Posting Considerations for Stretch Posters (Multi-Site and Remote Teams)
A stretch and flex poster works well digitally because it’s visual and often used in meetings. However, required labor law notices have specific accessibility expectations.
Actionable approach:
- Use a digital signage playlist: required notices + rotating safety content (stretch poster included)
- Ensure required posters remain accessible at all times (not just periodically)
- For remote/hybrid teams, provide electronic access in a centralized portal consistent with your posting obligations—SwiftSDS explains this in Electronic posters
If you’re concerned about poster vendors or misleading solicitations, see SwiftSDS’s guidance on the business posting department scam to help your team spot red flags.
Common Pitfalls Employers Should Avoid
Treating a stretch poster as an “OSHA requirement”
Calling it “the OSHA stretching poster” can confuse managers into thinking it satisfies OSHA posting rules. It doesn’t. You still need the applicable OSHA and labor law notices.
Overpromising injury prevention
Stretching can help readiness and awareness, but it’s not a guarantee. Avoid language that implies stretching alone prevents all MSDs; pair it with:
- Ergonomics improvements
- Job rotation (where feasible)
- Lifting aids and mechanical assists
- Training and supervision
Missing other related posting obligations
Some employers focus heavily on safety visuals but forget other required postings (wage/hour, anti-discrimination, leave). For example, depending on your workplace, accessibility-related notices are part of a compliant environment; SwiftSDS provides an overview of the ada poster and how it fits into digital posting programs.
FAQ: OSHA Stretching Poster and Stretch-and-Flex Compliance
Is an OSHA stretching poster required by law?
In most cases, no. OSHA generally requires the Job Safety and Health Protection poster (and any state-plan equivalent), not a stretching or warm-up poster. A stretch and flex poster is typically supplemental.
Where should I place a stretch and flex poster?
Place it where the warm-up happens—near the start-of-shift meeting area, timeclock, or safety huddle location. Keep required labor law notices in a separate, clearly labeled compliance posting area (physical and/or digital).
Can I use a digital stretch-and-flex poster on a screen at work?
Yes. Digital stretch posters are a good fit for safety huddles and breakrooms. Just make sure required notices remain continuously accessible under your posting rules; SwiftSDS’s Electronic posters guide explains best practices.
A well-designed stretch and flex poster can reinforce safer daily habits—but compliance starts with posting the right required notices for your jurisdiction. Use stretch posters as part of a broader safety and posting strategy, anchored by your federal and state posting requirements and supported by a well-managed digital labor law poster program.