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OSHA Standards – Who really makes them

We have been told so many times that if we do not follow or comply with the OSHA standards, we will be fined or slapped with penalties. But, do we know who really makes these standards? Let’s look into how the agency got started and how the standards came into existence.

The main goal of OSHA is to ensure men and women in America are exposed to a safe and healthy working environment. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA holds the responsibility to set occupational safety and health standards.

Why the standards came into existence can be traced back to 1960’s. During this period, work injuries and illnesses were in an alarming growth with fatalities and injuries increasing each year. The industrial accident situation and records were deteriorating and rather than improving the situation seems to spiral down. This resulted in a dire need for occupational safety and health legislation.

The safety and health legislation bill was passed on December 29, 1970 was then President of America, Richard M. Nixon. If you have no idea, this act is also as the Williams-Steiger Act to honor the two men, Senator Harrison A. Williams and Representative William A. Steiger, who worked so hard to bring this act into force.

OSHA was established within the Labor Department by the Act and it was granted the responsibility to set and enforce occupational safety and health standards.

To reach employees and employers, OSHA implements and enforces protective work standards and also mandates them to join the OSHA safety training program to make sure they are in compliance with the standards. To know more about these standards, you can register in the OSHA training course and get all the details.

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