ABSTRACT
The safety and health function does not work in a vacuum. Virtually every issue that emerges with most operations possesses some aspect that touches the safety and health function. Additionally, many human resource, production, and quality issues can be “twisted” into a safety and health issue. Safety and health professionals should be aware of the numerous correlating laws and regulations that can impact the safety and health function and remember to start any review of a pending issue from a very broad prospective and narrow the scope and viability of the issue throughout the review process. Each and every potential law or regulation that may impact the particular issue should be examined for applicability to the specific situation and either rejected or included for further examination prior to a final decision. “Shooting from the hip” is a sure-fire way through which a safety and health professional can make a wrong decision and get him or her into hot water.
