ABSTRACT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created by President Nixon and Congress under Section 5 (a) of Public Law 91-596 of December 29, 1970, The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). In a nut shell, the OSH Act requires
This text is designed to address the second part of this “em ployer” requirement. However, before moving on to the spe cific compliance requirements, note that OSHA also requires “employees” to comply with applicable safety standards. The following requirements surprise many people (it almost always surprises workers). The OSH Act also mandates the following:
To perform its primary mission (to protect workers in the workplace), OSHA was given the authority to develop and im plement standards and regulations, conduct inspections (audits) and investigations to ensure compliance, and issue ci tations and propose penalties for violations. OSHA also pro vides assistance to employers in complying with standards and regulations through consultations, training programs, and publications. This last “service” may surprise many readers, because when some folks hear the name “OSHA,” they shud der and grimace. A certain feeling overcomes them (the pucker factor) and immediately they conjure up distorted vi
sions and/or misguided thoughts about a cross between the KGB and a Gestapo agency, out to get them.
