Walsh-Healy Act

The recent revision ot the Walsh Healy Act to incor-i porate ANSI standards by reference as p of the regulations clearly indicates that these standards are readily adaptable as regulations. However, if the standards do not adequately standardize on the margins of safety incorporated to protect against process variaUes, then specifications will be imposed through new r ulations or for practical purposes through the licensing pv con tractor approval systems. 

Until 1970 occupational health and safety requirements in the United States were eirforced at a state level. However, the Walsh-Healy Act of 1936 had given the US Department of Labor the authority to set OHS standards to be met by emplqyeis seeking public contracts over 10 000. Further acts later included smaller contracts, and federal or federally financed construction projects. 

The Walsh-Healy Public Contracts Act (1936), The Green Book (1942), and other acts cuhninated in the enactment of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970 (OSHA) in the United States. Its main emphasis is injury prevention, which encourages avoidance and preventative actions. It makes little reference to the behavioral component in avoiding and preventing downgrading incidents, but concentrates on the work environment. 

Some of the preexisting federal laws that are enforced by OSHA include the Federal Supply Contracts Act (Walsh-Healy), the Federal Service Contracts Act (McNamara-O Hara), the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standard Act (Construction Safety Act), and the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act. Standards issued under these Acts are now enforced in all industries where they apply. 

Some of the pre-existing federal laws, which are enforced by OSHA include the Federal Supply Contracts Act (Walsh-Healy), the Federal Service Contracts Act... 

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