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Legal Aspects of Occupational Safety and Health

Gregory Woods

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Published in Safety Law: Legal Aspects In Occupational Safety And Health (Occupational Safety Health Guide Series)

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Safety Law: Legal Aspects in Occupational Safety and Health (Occupational Safety & Health Guide Series)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2576 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	443 pages

Every occupational safety and health professional should have a basic understanding of the legal aspects of their field. This includes knowledge of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, workers' compensation laws, and the role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in enforcing safety regulations.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) is the primary federal law that governs occupational safety and health in the United States. The OSH Act was enacted to ensure that every working man and woman in the nation has safe and healthful working conditions, and to preserve our human resources.

The OSH Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),which is responsible for enforcing the OSH Act and other safety and health laws. OSHA has the authority to inspect workplaces, issue citations for violations of the OSH Act, and impose penalties on employers who fail to comply with the law.

Workers' Compensation Laws

Workers' compensation laws are state laws that provide benefits to workers who are injured or become ill on the job. Workers' compensation benefits can include medical expenses, lost wages, and disability payments.

Workers' compensation laws vary from state to state, but they all share some common features. For example, most workers' compensation laws require employers to provide workers with a safe workplace and to pay for medical treatment and lost wages if workers are injured or become ill on the job.

The Role of OSHA

OSHA is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the OSH Act and other safety and health laws. OSHA has the authority to inspect workplaces, issue citations for violations of the OSH Act, and impose penalties on employers who fail to comply with the law.

OSHA also provides training and educational materials to help employers comply with the OSH Act. OSHA's website contains a wealth of information on safety and health topics, including:

Workplace safety regulations
Hazard identification and assessment
Injury and illness prevention
Emergency preparedness
Training and education

The legal aspects of occupational safety and health are complex and ever-changing. However, by having a basic understanding of the OSH Act, workers' compensation laws, and the role of OSHA, occupational safety and health professionals can help to ensure that their workplaces are safe and healthful.

For more information on the legal aspects of occupational safety and health, please visit the OSHA website at www.osha.gov.

Safety Law: Legal Aspects in Occupational Safety and Health (Occupational Safety & Health Guide Series)

4.6 out of 5