The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency within the United States Department of Labor. Its primary mission is to ensure that working conditions are safe and healthful for all American workers. This is achieved by setting and enforcing standards, as well as providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.
OSHA was formally established following the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. This foundational legislation aimed to protect workers from hazards that could lead to serious physical harm or death. The agency contributes to a culture of safety across diverse industries to minimize workplace accidents, illnesses, and fatalities.
The Genesis of Workplace Safety Regulations
Before 1970, the United States workplace lacked consistent and nationwide federal standards for safety, leading to a significant number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Industries often operated without uniform guidelines, and the approach to worker protection was fragmented and insufficient.
Reports from the late 19th century highlighted numerous tragedies, and by the 1960s, public and governmental concern grew over worker dangers. In 1970, an average of 38 workers were killed each day in work-related incidents. This alarming situation compelled Congress to address occupational hazards.
On December 29, 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act into law, marking a turning point for worker protection. This comprehensive legislation established a federal framework for occupational health and safety, creating OSHA to implement and enforce its provisions and safeguard the nation’s workforce.
How OSHA Fulfills Its Mission
OSHA employs several core activities to achieve its purpose. One significant aspect involves standard setting, where OSHA develops and enforces specific safety and health standards across various industries. These standards address a range of hazards, including fall protection, safe handling of hazardous chemicals, and machine guarding, ensuring employers adopt practices to protect their workers. OSHA can initiate standard-setting procedures on its own or in response to petitions, engaging in a detailed rulemaking process that includes public comment periods.
The agency also conducts inspections and enforcement actions to ensure employer compliance with these established standards. OSHA compliance officers perform workplace inspections, and if violations are found, the agency can issue citations and propose penalties. Beyond enforcement, OSHA provides compliance assistance and training programs, offering resources and guidance to help both employers and workers understand and meet safety requirements. These programs include training on topics like personal protective equipment (PPE) use, emergency action plans, and hazard communication.
OSHA collaborates with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for research and data collection. This collaboration helps inform policy decisions by gathering information on workplace injuries and illnesses. The agency promotes awareness and advocacy to create a proactive safety culture through educational initiatives and partnerships.
Rights and Duties Under OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Act defines specific responsibilities for employers and corresponding rights for workers. Employers are required to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm. This general duty includes complying with OSHA standards, providing necessary safety training in a language workers understand, and maintaining accurate records of injuries and illnesses.
Employers must also supply appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at no cost to workers, covering items like hard hats, gloves, and fall protection. Employers also have duties such as reporting work-related fatalities within eight hours and inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye within 24 hours. They are mandated to post the OSHA “Job Safety and Health: It’s the Law” poster in a prominent location to inform employees of their rights and responsibilities. Employers must keep detailed records of serious work-related injuries and illnesses using OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301.
Workers, in turn, are granted several protections under OSHA regulations. They have the right to a safe workplace and to receive training and information about hazards in a language they comprehend. Workers can request an OSHA inspection if they believe conditions are unsafe, and they have the right to speak privately with the inspector. Employees are protected from retaliation for reporting injuries or concerns, and they have the right to access records of workplace injuries, illnesses, and exposure to toxic substances.