Briefly explain the rationale for the OSH Act

Briefly explain the rationale for the OSH Act

Answer:-

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act was passed on December 29th, 1970, and became effective in 1971. Unlike earlier laws that focused primarily on providing compensation for occupational injuries and illnesses, the OSH Act shifted the focus to prevention. The primary goal of the act is to ensure that “as far as possible, every working man and woman in the nation is provided with safe and healthful working conditions” to preserve human resources.

To achieve its fundamental aim, the OSH Act introduced several key provisions:

1. Mandatory Occupational Safety and Health Standards: Establishing standards that employers must follow to ensure workplace safety and health.
2. Effective Enforcement: Implementing measures to ensure compliance with these standards.
3. Uniform Record-Keeping and Reporting Procedures: Standardizing how safety and health records are maintained and reported.
4. Responsibilities and Rights of Employees: Defining the roles and rights of employees in achieving safe and healthful working conditions.
5. Establishment of OSHA and NIOSH: Creating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to oversee enforcement and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to conduct research and provide recommendations.