The creation of The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) came from many years of labor reform and its history is intertwined with politics and the changing environments of the American worker. The industrial revolution was the main platform for enacting workers’ rights. However, OSHA would not exist until many years after the turn of the century.
One of the first landmark reforms was the institution of workman’s compensation in 1911. This measure did much in terms of giving workers peace of mind in regards to workplace injuries and deaths. However, workman’s compensation lacked the preventative measures necessary of a modern nation.
OSHA didn’t become a reality until after the passage of the OSH Act in 1970. The act itself was years in the making – going from Pres. Johnson to Pres. Nixon before it’s final revision became law.
What Does OSHA Do?
OSHA helps prevent workplace injuries and hazards by setting industry standards that protect employee health and safety.
According the OSHA website, the organization’s mission is to:
“…prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work. The law requires employers to provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers. The Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards. OSHA also provides information, training and assistance to workers and employers. Workers may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect their workplace if they believe that their employer is not following OSHA standards or that there are serious hazards.”
Click here to file a complaint with OSHA.
If you’d like to learn more about OSHA and how it protects workers, read more.
