OHSA Requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a division of the United States Department of Labor. The goal of OSHA is to provide a safe and non-hazardous work environment for all workers. Through its standards, its goal is to prevent deaths, illnesses and injuries that could happen in the work environment. It enforces rules and regulations to ensure certain safety precautions are met.

History

• The Occupational Safety and Health Act was signed by President Richard Nixon on Dec. 29, 1970. Then-Secretary of Labor James Hodgson was largely responsible for helping shape the laws surrounding the act. This created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which helped to create the rules and regulations for workers all over America. Provisions have been made since the induction of the agency in order to continue to provide employees the best protection. The Carter administration added the "common sense priorities." According to the United States Department of Labor, the priorities were: (1) getting serious about serious dangers; (2) simplifying regulations and eliminating unnecessary rules; and (3) helping America's small businesses save money and lives.

Conflicts with OSHA

• Many employers have argued the cost of OSHA. There are many claims that the costs of maintaining the standards and the training involved are far too expensive. The maximum penalty for breaking the rules is a misdemeanor with six months in jail. Unions claim that OSHA is more devoted to the actual inspections and less to the safety of the workers because it takes too long to develop new safety standards.

Regulations

• OSHA has a listing for every industry. It creates standards for each unit so that each workplace has it's own responsibility. There are general industry standards, maritime standards and construction standards. Each has its own set of rules for enforcement.

Training

• OSHA provides employers with training and education materials to ensure each employee is up to date with the standards. Every employee is expected to follow the specific standards set for his workplace. The OSHA Directorate of Training and Education provides an online library of references to help with training. An individual within an organization can also take advantage of the outreach program so he will be qualified to teach the regulations.

Impact

• The impact that OSHA has had on the workplace has included mandatory guards on all moving parts within a company, rules against blood-borne pathogens and the use of personal protective equipment. These and other precautions have saved lives as technology has become more advanced and machines have become more dangerous.