Occupational Safety and Health Administration

 Formed April 28, 1971 through the Occupational Safety and Health Act  Formed as a part of the U.S. Department of Labor  Put in place to assure good working conditions, provide training, outreach, education, and assistance.

 Governs employee rights regarding access to information  Sets requirements for protective equipment  Sets safety procedures  Provides worker assistance and sets work standards  Carry out store inspections (check if a business meets regulations)  Covers 7 million work places (if they had to inspect every one of them, it would take about 162 years)  Regulate and enforce workplace laws. Punishment is nearly always a fine, but employers can spend from 6 months in jail to however much a court dictates.  Also regulate Whistle Blower Laws, or the ability of a employee to report their employer

  1.^ a b "Department of Labor Budget in Brief, FY2013". Department of Labor.  2.^ "About OSHA".  3.^ a b c d "OSHA History".  4.^ Feldman, Justin ( ), "OSHA Inaction", Public Citizen, retrieved  5.^ Michaels, David. "OSHA at 40". OSHA.  6.^ "Death on the Job: the Toll of Neglect. 20th Edition, 2011.". AFL-CIO.  7.^ "OSHA Enforcement Landing Page".  8.^ "Enforcement Guidance for the U.S. Postal Service". OSHA.  9.^ "Policy as to domestic household employment activities in private residences". OSHA.  10.^ "Safety and Health in the Aviation Industry". OSHA.  11.^ "Enforcement Exemptions and Limitations under the Appropriations Act". OSHA.  12.^ Hamby, Chris. "OSHA acknowledges database of fatal accidents incomplete". Center for Public Integrity.  13.^ "Office of the Whistleblower Protection Program".  14.^ "State Occupational Safety and Health Plans".  15.^ "OSHA Administrative Penalty Information Bulletin".  16.^ Justice Dept Drops Most Criminal OSHA Referrals  17.^ Pelley, Scott ( ). "Is Enough Done To Stop Explosive Dust?". 60 Minutes (CBSnews.com). Retrieved  18.^ a b c Sun, M (Aug. 7). "A firing over formaldehyde". Science 213 (4508): 630–631. doi: /science  19.^ a b Bass, Carole. "Whistle-Blower: Agency Tasked with Protecting American Workers Fails to Protect its Own". Alternet.