What is OSHA and why do we need it?

OSHA, which stands for Occupational Safety and Health Act. This law was created and enacted in 1970. OSHA’s mission is to help employers and employees reduce the number of accidents, illnesses, and deaths while working in the workplace.

OSHA is doing its job. Since OSHA has been in effect, 60% of workplace deaths have stopped. A whopping 40% of workplace injuries and illnesses have also decreased.

OSHA also helps employers. When there are fewer injuries, illnesses, and deaths, workers’ compensation costs can be reduced. We all know that medical treatment is expensive. Workers’ compensation covers medical treatment when an employee or employer is injured on the job. (Many companies proudly post the number of days that employees and employers have been injury-free. Some companies even offer benefits to employees after a certain number of injury-free days. planner, etc., due to zero injuries after a certain period of time). Insurance costs will also decrease when fewer employees are injured on the job. Less money is needed to spend on return-to-work programs. Return-to-work programs help an employee exercise and safely perform their job duty again. Due to OSHA, defective products are less likely to occur. Another way this law helps is that less money is spent on items the injured employee needs to continue their job.

OSHA makes sure companies follow the rules, helps train employers and employees to work safely, and has partnerships through voluntary programs.

While you are at your workplace, you may see OSHA come to visit to conduct an inspection. Chances are, you’ll see everyone (especially management) get flustered and double check to make sure all the rules are followed. OSHA will have a checklist of items and rules that must be followed. The company will get a report about the rules that have been broken. The company will need to fix these items within a certain period of time. Another reason management gets nervous is because during an inspection, when rules are broken, the company can be cited and/or fined. Some of these fines are an extreme amount of dollars.

Employees can be sure that OSHA helps with safety, specific rights, and helps with innovation in workplace hazards. You’ve probably seen safety videos at your workplace, especially if you work for a welding company. The videos are made specifically for your type of work. You will be shown that you must wear your welding equipment at all times when working. Safety tips will be reviewed on why you need welding goggles, a hard hat, and safety shoes, among other safety tips. You will learn where all the MSDS sheets and safety manuals are available to you as an employee.

Now you know what OSHA is and how helpful it really is to the workplace.