Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed by a bipartisan Congress in 1970 to respond to what was perceived to be a crisis in the workplace. Several studies had indicated that accidents and injuries on the job were increasing and that there were thousands of disabling diseases in the workplace caused by exposure to hazardous substances. It seemed that workers were not being adequately protected from hazards in the workplace and that federal regulation was needed. The act was passed “to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources.” This act also created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to administer this act. Congress specified several steps ...