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Regulatory Environment

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The Legal and Regulatory Environment When we look at the history of government involvement in safety regulation, we first must realize that there is a need for such involvement. A perfect way to put this is, “Government has a responsibility to protect individuals from unhealthy environments, whether the sources of health risks are natural or created by people or organizations” (Frieden, 2013). Long before the Wright Brothers made history at Kitty Hawk, man has found themselves having to fight for a safe workplace. Safety and health standards for employees were for many years an afterthought, far behind increasing the profit margin. Only when unions and workers had had enough, did the tides turn toward safer conditions. The old adage that …show more content…

This act came to be known as the Health and Morals of Apprentices Act of 1802 (1959). This act set in place the first factory inspection system and the standards to govern it. Safety regulations were set in place limiting number of hours worked, cleanliness standard of all facilities, equipment safety standards, and the issue of adequate clothing was in place by the 1870's. Even with a model to follow the United States was nearly 70 years behind in the race to safer workplaces. The earliest government involvement in the regulation and setting of safety standards is recorded in the state of Massachusetts. It was 1869 and the labor unions and public outcry led to the formation of the Bureau of Statistics and Labor. This agency became the pioneer and trendsetter for all other state Bureau’s (2013). They published their first report in 1870 describing the deplorable conditions of children working in factories and mills. An early practice of mailing questionnaires to employers, and following up with site visits was common practice until 1882. Finally in 1882 the laborers side of the story was brought into account. Early on in the process the effect on factory work and its long hours, poor ventilation, unhealthy condition on young women was of great concern. Multiple report findings linked severe illness, and even prostitution to these dastardly conditions. The first annual

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