Occupational Safety and Health Law

Abstract In 1970, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), which established a national system for workplace safety and health standards development, standards enforcement, and consultative assistance under the administrative implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. Department of Labor. The OSH Act imposes duties on employers to comply with OSHA's safety and health standards under a system of civil and criminal sanctions and provides for a number of employee participation and antidiscrimination rights. This chapter provides an overview of the major statutory provisions of the OSH Act as they have been administratively implemented by OSHA and judicially interpreted by the courts. Special emphasis is given to OSHA's health standards and regulations used in the practice of industrial hygiene.