| While some people might argue that the | | | | control. However, two tragic workplace accidents |
| government is always trying to interfere with | | | | in 1973 proved the necessity of having safety |
| legislation and regulation, no one can argue that | | | | regulations in for the business world. The |
| the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, | | | | government officials worked hard to bring their |
| or OSHA, has taken large measures to protect | | | | rules up to date, both with safety and health |
| workers' safety and their rights to a hazard-free | | | | topics. |
| workplace. OSHA has risen in importance from | | | | This eventually lead to a crackdown on chemicals |
| the time of its conception, and now almost every | | | | used by a number of different businesses. |
| single business displays special OSHA posters on | | | | January 14, 1989, marked the date on which |
| their walls to inform workers of their rights. | | | | OSHA reasserted its authority by declaring |
| The birthday of OSHA was December 29, 1970. | | | | exposure limits for 52 chemicals, up from its |
| Then-President Richard Nixon signed the | | | | original 24 limitations created during the lifespan of |
| Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health | | | | the agency. Some speculate that this was to help |
| Act into law. The purpose of the act was to give | | | | OSHA "practice what it preached." |
| the national government the authority to set, | | | | The 21st century has shown OSHA as a group |
| monitor, and enforce proper safety techniques | | | | that has fully matured and is now in control of |
| around most workplaces. The Secretary of Labor | | | | worker's safety and health rights. There has been |
| at the time, James Hodgson, set up the | | | | legislation passed to reduce ergonomic injuries, as |
| Occupational Safety and Health Agency under the | | | | well as large fines given by the agency to |
| Department of Labor on April 28, 1971. | | | | companies who cause oil spills and who are found |
| At first, many people complained about the act. | | | | lacking in health standards. Now, OSHA develops |
| The agency required companies to retrofit | | | | similar regulatory programs at the state level and |
| machinery with protective guards, as well as | | | | encourages employees to report their concerns |
| provide training and documentation that was | | | | about hazards in the workplace. It works to save |
| expensive and time-consuming. Also, the | | | | lives and protect people from work-related illness |
| Department of Labor was not very strict about | | | | and injury. As you can see, it has come a long |
| consistently enforcing the act. Because of all of | | | | way since its induction, and it now serves as a |
| the work cut out for them, OSHA administrators | | | | major guideline for businesses today. |
| first turned their focus on the especially | | | | If you feel that your company has not followed |
| dangerous companies and industries, as well as | | | | OSHA standards, leading to personal injury or |
| the regulation of asbestos. | | | | death, you may qualify for financial compensation. |
| Even these tasks did not relieve the administration | | | | For more information on personal injury law in |
| from criticism. There was an uproar over small vs. | | | | your area, check out the Legal City Attorney |
| large business regulation, the need for nitpicky | | | | Search Directory today. |
| documentation, and other aspects of OSHA's | | | | |