U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act

The National Safety Council of the United States reports volumes of statistics on recordable work injuries and illnesses based on recordkeeping requirements of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The 1995 figures were based on 124 million employees. [37]... 

It is important to note that many OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act) terms are used throughout the handbook however the author has made efforts to use and apply internationally recognized tenninology and definitions as opposed to tliose which stem from the U.S. regulatory system. It is essential that Industry, because of its global nature and widespread inteniational chemical shipments, continue to develop and apply universally accepted tenninology concerning chemical hazards. 

Figure 18.2 The major requirements of the U.S. occupational safety and health act (OSH Act).

In addition to the Civil Rights Act, other laws and regulations affect the management ofhuman resources. For instance, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop and enforce workplace standards designed to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths (OSHA, 2007). Of particular relevance to pharmacy are OSHA s ergonomic workplace standards and its rules for preventing exposure to hazardous chemicals and bloodborne pathogens. 

Industrial hygienists work closely with members of several other professions concerned with workplace health and safety, eg, occupational medicine, occupational health nursing, and safety engineering. AH of these groups are involved in the implementation of the laws that regulate workplace health and safety. In the United States the principal law is the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) (1) enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor (U.S. 

U.S. Department ofLabor, Occupational Safety and Health Act, PE91 -596, Washington, D.C., 1970. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) covers a broad range of issues relating to worker health and safety, many of which impact the power generation industry (16,17). The Act sets standards designed to protect worker health and safety, particularly in industrial settings. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration, organized under the U.S. Department of Labor, implements and enforces OSHA standards and periodically updates poHcies governing worker health and safety. 

The demand for trichloroethylene grew steadily until 1970. Since that time trichloroethylene has been a less desirable solvent because of restrictions on emissions under air pollution legislation and the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Whereas previously the principal use of trichloroethylene was for vapor degreasing, currentiy 1,1,1-trichloroethane is the most used solvent for vapor degreasing. The restrictions on production of 1,1,1-trichloroethane [71-55-6] from the 1990 Amendments to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the stratospheric ozone and the U.S. 

Federal Register, Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), 29 U.S. Code 651 et seq. 1970, U.S. Government, Public Laws, 2009. Available at http //www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title29/chapterl5. html... 

In 1971 when safety and health standards were established by the U. S. Department of Labor for several hundred chemical substances, there were analytical methods available for some of the compounds, but few were validated to ensure the accurate monitoring of the exposure of workers to these toxic substances (1). Consequently, programs were undertaken by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to develop and validate sampling and analytical methods. The initial intent was to provide methods that would be useful to industry in measuring the exposures of personnel to potentially toxic materials at concentration levels near the accepted standard levels. Consequently, many earlier methods were developed around the standard levels established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act with validation at, for example, levels ranging from one-half to twice the established standard level (2). Often these methods were not validated at lower concentration levels, say, one-tenth of the original level. 

Workplace regulations are promulgated and enforced in the U.S. by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act PL 91-596 as amended by PL 101 552 29 U.S. Code 651 et. seq.). OSHA general industry health and safety standards (29 CFR 1910) apply to oilseed extraction and oil... 

The Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq. (1970) Employers must provide a place of employment free from recognized hazards to safety and health, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions. Employers must provide personal protective equipment and training, including communication of hazards. Eacilities must undergo hazard analysis. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is established to promote best practices, inspect facilities, set standards, and enforce the law. 

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