The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is one of many agencies located within the Department of Labor. The agency was created in 1970 when President Richard Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act. According to the act, the Administration’s mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths by creating and enforcing rules for workplace safety and health.

The regulations developed by OSHA cover the majority of private sector workplaces. The Act that created OSHA allows states to develop a plan of their own as long as the plan covers public sector employees, they provide protection equivalent to that which is provided for by OSHA’s regulations, and the plan is approved. In return for this state-created plan, a portion of the cost of the State regulation program is paid by the federal government. So far, 26 states and territories have created plans that comply with the federal regulations.

The United States Postal Act, signed by President Clinton in 2000, makes the Postal Service the only quasi-governmental entity to fall under OSHA’s jurisdiction and regulation. This change, while it may seem minor, allows OSHA to fine the Postal Service as if it were a regular non-governmental organization when it violates regulations.

Fortunately for corporations that behave badly, OSHA’s fines are reportedly minimal. This is not a good thing for the employees that are injured by their actions. Fortunately for all employees, OSHA has recently teamed up with the EPA to impose much harsher fines and stronger penalties for violations.

Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease due to asbestos exposure at work, contact the mesothelioma attorneys of Williams Kherkher at 1-800-781-3955 today.