{"id":357942,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/workplace-safety\/workplace-safety-osha-and-osh-act-overview.html"},"modified":"2024-03-21T12:55:38","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T17:55:38","slug":"workplace-safety-osha-and-osh-act-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/workplace-safety\/workplace-safety-osha-and-osh-act-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Workplace Safety: OSHA and OSH Act Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Workplace Safety: OSHA and OSH Act Overview<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Employees have the right to a safe workplace, free of known dangers to themselves and their co-workers. The U.S. Department of Labor<\/a> oversees the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)<\/a>. OSHA is a federal agency responsible for establishing health standards and ensuring the safety of America’s workforce. OSHA plays a crucial role in setting and enforcing standards to maintain safe working conditions across both private sector and public sector industries.<\/p>\r\n

Employee Rights Under OSHA and the OSH Act<\/h2>\r\n

The primary law covering worker safety is the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970<\/a> (OSH Act). The primary goal of this federal law is to reduce workplace hazards<\/a> and implement job safety and health programs for both employers and their employees. The OSH Act and related OSHA regulations give employees the rights to:<\/p>\r\n