Learn Why Workplace Safety Is So Important

American workers in the United States areSection 201 states. "Environmentally preferable"
provided thesafest working conditions. In spite ofmeans products or servicesthat have a lesser or
the stress and tedioustypes of work performed,reduced effect on human health and the
the government works tireless toinsure that theenvironment whencompared with competing
place you work is free from dangerous elementsproducts or services that serve the same
thatthreaten you health as well as your life.purpose.
The government has not always been asThis comparison may consider raw materials
benevolent to the workingclass. but as societyacquisition, production, manufacturing,packaging,
evolved, so did the concern for human beingswhodistribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, or
was often injured or disabled in work relateddisposal of the product orservice.
accidents.In addition, a series of requirements are placed on
To provide guidelines and regulations to protectemployers to provide protection,training,
the safety of workers,information, and monitoring of employees
OSHA was established.potentially exposed to hazardous substances.
The regulations that govern workplace safety areTwo other standards are of relevance to the
under the auspicesof The U.S Department ofchemical industry:
Labor and enforced by federal law and OSHA.The process safety management (PSM) standard
OSHA was established as the result of The(29 CFR 1910.119) is designed to prevent
Occupational Safety and Healthorminimize the consequences of catastrophic
(OSHA) Act in 1970 and amended in 1990. Thereleases of toxic, reactive,flammable and
overall goal of the Act is toinsure that employeesexplosive chemicals.
do not suffer harm from occupational exposure.The PSM rule requires employers subject to the
The Occupational Safety and Health Administrationrule to have an emergency action planwhich
(OSHA), has several keyresponsibilities including:specifies the procedures for reporting fires and
- Developing and issuing occupational safety andemergencies.
health standards and regulationsThe rule covers, among other things, emergency
- Conducting investigations and inspections toresponse operations for releases orthreat of
determine the status of compliancereleases. Covered employers must develop an
- Issuing citations and proposes penalties foremergency response plan whichincludes
noncompliance with the regulationsemergency alerting and response procedures.
- Performing public education and consultationIn addition to OSHA's specific standards, section
The enforcement of the OSHA's safety and5(a)(1) of the OSH Act also containsan
health standards is implemented byindividual stateenforceable general duty clause, which covers
agencies. But this act applies to virtually allsituations for which no standard exists.
privateemployers in the United States. If theThe clause requires employers to provide a place
employer has more than 10 employees,of employment, which is free from
The statutes of the OSHA laws bind them.recognizedhazards that are causing or are likely to
Federal and state employees however, arecause death or serious physical harm to
exempt from direct coverage.employees.
OSHA's attention focuses on environmentalIt is important that both employers and
contamination in the workplace.employees understand the scope and purpose of
The standard for toxic and hazardous substancesOSHAstatues. By being informed, the workplace
is specifically outlinedin OSHA. The exposure limitsbecomes safer for the employer, employee and
are provided in terms of 8-hour averages aswellthecommunity at large.
as 15-minute short-term exposures.