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Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Statute, Regulations & Enforcement
- The Statute
- OSHA Regulations
- OSHA Enforcement
- Other Federal Laws and Regulating Relating to Occupational Safety and Health
- State Laws and Regulations Relating to Occupational Safety and Health
The Statute
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), commonly known as the "OSH Act," was enacted in 1970. The Act is to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health; and for other purposes.
The OSH Act is administered nationally by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
, also called OSHA, which is a division of the U.S. Department of Labor. This office oversees OSHA administration and has enforcement authority over OSHA standards in all 50 states,
Although OSHA as an Act generally applies to all enterprises and entities affected by commerce, i.e. all employers and employees, there are special provisions of the Act that apply to the U.S. Government, its agencies and employees, including its contractors and their employees. In 1998, the OSH Act was amended to include the U.S. Posal Service (USPS) and an employer subject to OSHA enforcement.
Occupational Safety and Health Act History
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA or OSH Act); 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq. (1970) (P.L. 91-596)
| OSHA full text |
OSHA Regulations
OSHA has developed regulations relating to the implementation of the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OSHA) which can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Chapter 17, Parts 1900-1999. The portion of the regulations most relevant to workers, various facilties, and other entities that deal with the environment and with environmental contamination is Part 1910.
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (OSHA) (29 CFR 17, Parts 1900-1999)
Occupational Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR 17, Part 1910) in the OSHA Regulations
OSHA Enforcement
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has the overall responsibility for enforcing the statutory and regulatory requirements of OSHA for worker job safety and health. In addition, some agencies, both federal and state, may incorporate OSHA regulations into their own rules and regulations, whereupon these agencies then may enforce the occupational safety and health portions of their requirements. Examples of Federal agencies that commonly use and enforce OSHA requirements with their own statutes and regulations are the U.S. Department of Transportations (US DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).
Other Federal Laws and Regulations Relating to Occupational Safety and Health
Clean Air Act of of 1970 (CAA)
The Clean Air Act created a national program to control the damaging effects of air pollution by regulating stationary and mobile sources of air emissions. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 went further to ensure that the air Americans breathe is safe. The CAA Amendments of 1990 included the Section 112(r) that requires owners and operators of stationary sources to identify hazards, and prevent and minimize the effects of accidental releases wherever extremely hazardous substances are present at their facility. This section was added to improve facilities' accident prevention and emergency preparedness. Section 112(r) encompasses both the General Duty Clause of Section 112(r)(1) and the Risk Management Program of Section 112(r)(7). Some of the other federal agencies also have similar provisions in their statutes. (Additional Information)
Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA)
One part of EPCRA requires businesses to report on emissions of certain toxic chemicals with that information being included in the Toxics Release Inventory, a publicly-accessible data bank. The other part of the law requires certain businesses to report releases of extremely hazardous chemicals to state and local authorities, and to disclose to those same authorities the quantities and types of toxic chemicals stored on site. (EPCRA Enforcement Site)