Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 sought to make work safer and protect the physical well-being of workers. It created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration within the Department of Labor to oversee its provisions.
The Act sets forth safety standards and procedures that employers must follow. It also requires employers to submit their workplaces for periodic government inspection.
The Act
The Occupational Safety and Health Act is a federal law that protects workers from dangerous working conditions. It covers most private sector employers and some public sector workers in the United States, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Wake Island, Outer Continental Shelf Lands defined in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, Johnston Island, and the Canal Zone.
Section 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act authorizes the Secretary to inspect workplaces, and issue citations for violations of the Act or applicable standards, rules, or orders. If a violation is serious, the citation may also carry a civil penalty.
The Act also authorizes the Secretary to appoint an advisory committee to assist him in his standard-setting functions under the OSH Act. The committee is to include one or more representatives of the Secretary, a representative of a nationally recognized standards-producing organization, and a representative of a State health or safety agency.
Definitions
The Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed by Congress in 1970 to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses that were causing declines in production and wages, along with increased medical expenses and disability compensation.
This law requires employers to comply with certain safety standards and regulations that are set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The agency also conducts inspections of workplaces to ensure that they are meeting their requirements.
OSHA has many different standards that apply to different industries and companies. These standards include training, hazard evaluations, and personal protective equipment.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act also includes a general duty clause that says that every employer has a responsibility to provide a safe, hazard-free environment for their employees. States must also adopt their own state plans that are at least as effective as the federal OSH Act.
Enforcement
The Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSH Act, is a law that makes sure workers are safe and healthy while they are at work. It sets standards for different industries and allows the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to create and enforce those regulations.
This Act was passed to make sure that everyone goes home safe from their jobs every day. It requires all employers to follow certain rules and regulations to protect their employees.
For example, you must follow the OSHA standards and give employees free personal protective equipment if needed. You must also keep records of workplace injuries and illnesses.
You must also inspect your business premises, and your field, to ensure that your workers are not exposed to dangerous conditions. You can be fined for violating the Act, and you may have to change your practices if you find unsafe conditions. You may also have to provide safety training.
Compliance
Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act to ensure that employers provide their workers with a safe and healthful work environment. The Act gives the Secretary of Labor the power to promulgate and enforce standards and also creates the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other federal agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Compliance consists of notifying employees and their representatives of hazards in their workplace, making personal protective equipment available, reporting injuries and illnesses, and protecting workers from retaliation. In addition, businesses are subject to inspections by safety and health officers of the OSHA department, who can issue citations or penalties for non-compliance.
The Act also encourages states to develop their own state plans that are at least as effective as the federal standards. These state plans may be more strict than the OSHA guidelines, and might include requirements for training and employee education.
