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The OSH Act Of 1970

Decent Essays

The OSH Act of 1970 came about following a congressional finding that personal injuries and illnesses arising out of work situations impose a “substantial burden upon, and are a hindrance to, interstate commerce in terms of lost production, wage loss, medical expenses, and disability compensation payments”. Congress declared it to be within its rights, by virtue of its power to regulate commerce, to assure all people safe and healthy working conditions and to preserve human resources. To accomplish these purposes, the OSH Act established a framework of regulatory standards and specific enforcement authority under the Act which were calculated to reform unsafe work place practices and reduce the number of health and safety hazards. This, in turn, would also reduce the total number of work place accidents.

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