Question

Explain the rationale for the OSHA Act?
Summarize OSHA's mission and purpose?
Summarize what is covered in the OSH Act?
Explain how OSHA enforces compliance?
Explain OSHA's enhanced enforcement policy?
Describe the cost of OSHA fines: direct and indirect?
Summarize the various services available from OSHA?
Summarize employer rights and responsibilities under the OSHA act?
Summarize employee right and responsibilities under the OSHA act?
Explain the laws and liabilities relating to workplace safety and health?

Answer 1

Rationale for OSHA act : The occupational safety and health act was established in 1970 so as to ensure that the American workforce gets a safe environment to work in thereby lowering the chances of occurrence of on the job injuries, illness or fatalities and promoting health and safety in workplace by recognizing and removing potential hazards.

OSHA 's mission and purpose : The mission of OSHA is to assure safe and healthful working conditions for workforce both men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach,education and assistance.

OSHA act : OSH act was established in 1970 by the American Congress. It consists of 34 sections which cover all the aspects of this act and an additional historical section. Section 1 contains introduction which together with section 2 that contains congressional findings elaborate the need and usefulness of this act. Section 3 contains list of definitions of all the legal terms. Section 4 deals with applicability of this act and as such mentions about the areas to which the act would be applicable along with the aithority to execute the same. Section 5 lists down the duties of each employer in relation with proper execution of this act. Section 6 lays down powers of secretary to ensure that earlier statuary standards related with the workplaces such as chemical factories, manufacturing units etc are followed by the employers of these sectors. Section 7 establishes national advisory committee for this act and deals with the powers of this committee and the secretary. section 8 empowers the secretary to inspect, investigate and check the records of any organization working in America so as to ensure proper implementation of the provisions contained in this act. Thus to conclude it can be said that through all the 34 sections of this act, the American government covers all the aspects related to the health and safety of workforce and establishes authority to check the proper execution of the provisions contained in this act and also provide judicial review to any aggrieved worker.