The Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) By: Kristen Klimek Period 3

What is the OSHA? The OSHA was drafted on December 20, 1970; and was amended through January 1, It is a national act- but is also applied to those in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories. It is applied to both working men and women. Congress passed the Occupational and Safety Health Act to ensure safety for the worker and in the workplace. The goal was to make sure employers provide their workers a workplace free from common hazards known to affect safety and health; such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or various unsanitary conditions. The act provides education, research, information, and even training in occupational health for the possible conditions and affects of a worker or workplace.

What is the OSHA? (continued) The Act applies to employers and employees in such varied fields as manufacturing, construction, long shoring, agriculture, law and medicine, charity and disaster relief, organized labor, and private education. The Act defines an employer as any "person engaged in a business affecting commerce who has employees, but does not include the United States or any state or political subdivision of a State." Therefore, the Act applies to employers and employees in such varied fields as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, law and medicine, charity and disaster relief, organized labor, and private education. The act does not cover self-employed people, farms that only employ immediate members of the family, employees of state/local governments (unless they are in one of the states operating an OSHA-approved state plan.)

OSHA Standards & Equipment Requirements Standards are grouped into four major categories: general industry (29 CFR 1910); construction (29 CFR 1926); maritime (shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring—29 CFR ); and agriculture (29 CFR 1928). While some standards are specific to just one category, others apply across industries.