OSHA
Safety begins with the individual. In order to minimize accidents, the individual must be knowledgeable to prevent incidents or to simply learn from their mistakes. Assuming arguendo that the individuals that are or will be affected are interested or cooperative, a Safety System may then be developed.
Safety in the work place begins with the safety professional alongside upper management educating all employees. Lack of knowledge is usually the cause of most accidents or near misses. Let us look at the chemical industry. Most often employers assume that all professionals associated with this field are well aware of MSDS?d its function. This assumption lead to employees being given a big safety manual at the date of hire and a brief description if any, of what a MSDS?ok like. In short employees are not given thorough training. Instead of management leaving it to employee to read, they should have practicals and constantly update employees on new safety requirements. Employee training should be an ongoing event
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INTRODUCTION
There exist many committees, groups, and organizations that are concerned about the environment in one aspect or another. Their concerns range from marine protection and safety to air pollution. This paper will discuss an organization for the safety of people known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration commonly called OSHA.
BEFORE OSHA
In Massachusetts during the 1870?State regulatory activities of industrial safety began. By 1921 most worker?ompensation programs were in effect. The Walsh Healey Act was passed in 1936, the year in which the Federal government became involved.
The Nation?irst comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety program to protect the worker on the job was proposed by president Lyndon Johnson on January 23, 1968. At that time statistics as a result of Industrial activities were 14,000 to 15,000 dead, over 2million disabled and over 7 million hurt. In comparison to England, France, and Germany our figures were twice as high. It must be stated that Blue-Collar jobs such as mining were more of a concern than white-collar jobs.
The government realized that workers compensation was not enough economic incentive for protective improvements in the workplace. Hence the birth of OSHA.
BEGINNING OF OSHA
President Richard Nixon signed The Occupational Safety and Health Act into law on December 29, 1970. This established The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH). The purpose of OSHA is to ensure the following:
?ry working woman and man in the nation should have a safe and healthful working condition.??t;br>
This law was considered by most the landmark in the history of labor and public health legislation. Congress monitored OSHA but they gave them full responsibility in enacting standards. Also to inspect workplaces and impose penalties in the form of fines when their standards are violated.
OSHA has three(3) types of standards. They are as follows:
1) Start up standards issued without rule making by OSHA during the first 2yrs. after the Act became effective.
2) Standards issued after rulemaking at anytime by OSHA.
3) Emergency temporary standards issued without rulemaking as ?manent standards??lt;br> |
