Most workers today know the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and have at least a general understanding of its role. But have you ever wondered about its history? When was OSHA founded, and why?
Before federal safety laws, industrial workplaces were almost unimaginably dangerous. Heavy machinery, toxic chemicals, and unsafe conditions led to millions of njuries and tens of thousands of deaths each year. In the 1960s, political pressure and growing concern about worker safety led to change. Many workers lacked basic protections, and that’s why OSHA was created.
But in our experience, even with today’s safety regulations and steep fines, companies still put profits over people. They cut corners. They ignore known hazards. And when a serious accident happens, they do everything they can to avoid responsibility.
That’s why Zehl & Associates has fought — and won — against the largest oil and gas, refinery, and industrial companies in the world. We’ve recovered Billions in record-setting verdicts and settlements for thousands of workers whose lives were shattered by accidents that never should have happened.
Read on to learn how OSHA came to be, and why its future — and the safety of every worker in America — depends on holding companies accountable.
History and Background of OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Act was signed into law on December 29, 1970, and took effect on April 28, 1971. It established OSHA under the Department of Labor to ensure safe and healthy workplaces.
Before OSHA, employers often replaced injured workers instead of investing in safety. To save money, employers encouraged dangerous practices. They did not provide the safety equipment workers needed to do their job safely. Only a few states had limited worker safety programs.
The result? Tens of thousands of avoidable workplace fatalities and millions of injuries occurred every year. Congress created OSHA to set and enforce national standards to prevent accidents, protect workers’ health and safety, and reduce compensation costs.
What Is the Purpose of OSHA?
OSHA’s mission is to “assure safe and healthful working conditions … by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.” In short, it sets rules, inspects workplaces, and encourages training.
Standards address hazards like:
- Toxic chemicals (e.g., asbestos, silica)
- Dangerous machinery and heavy equipment (unguarded gears, electrical risks)
- Fall hazards (especially in construction)
- Ergonomics, noise, heat stress, and infectious diseases
OSHA promotes a proactive safety culture. Employers must identify and correct hazards, provide protective gear, inform employees of work-related risks, and report when someone is hurt. OSHA also enforces whistleblower protections so workers can report hazards without fear of retaliation.
OSHA supports state programs, too. Twenty-six states operate their own OSHA-approved plans that are at least as effective as federal standards
Why Is OSHA Important?
Sometimes employers and workers view OSHA regulations as unnecessary hurdles to productivity, a waste of time, or needlessly expensive. It’s easy to lose sight of how far workplace safety has come since OSHA was established.
OSHA is important for several reasons, even today:
Significant Decline in Injury and Fatality Rates
From 1972 to 2018, the nonfatal injuries and illnesses rate dropped from 10.9 cases to 2.8 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. Workplace deaths remain at just a fraction of the levels seen before OSHA.
Reduced Costs for Employers
OSHA isn’t just about compliance—it’s about real-world impact. Studies have found that random OSHA inspections tend to reduce the number of injuries reported to workers’ compensation and a reduction in injury-related costs. These costs included workers’ compensation claims, increased insurance premiums, and lost workdays.
Broad Health Protection
Work-related injuries aren’t the only thing that OSHA strives to prevent. Occupational illnesses and diseases are another key target of safety regulations. OSHA sets permissible exposure limits and requires controls to reduce workers’ exposure to dust, silica, asbestos, and other airborne hazards and pathogens.
For example, cotton dust regulations nearly eliminated associated deaths.
Why OSHA Remains Important Today
Even with progress, modern workplaces face new and evolving challenges, including:
- Extreme heat in outdoor jobs
- Emerging chemical threats
- Workplace violence and mental health concerns
- Continued technology-driven hazards
OSHA adapts through new regulations and guidance. Proposed rules, like those for heat stress and respirable silica, aim to protect millions more workers.
Despite its important mission, OSHA also faces threats at the state and federal levels. For example, chemical plants recently sought to evade federal regulations. Companies continue to prioritize profits and violate crucial worker safety regulations. OSHA violations contribute to refinery and plant explosions and accidents at construction sites and factories.
Contact the Undefeated Undefeated Houston Workplace Accident Lawyers from Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help Today, Call 1-888-603-3636
OSHA was born from a need to protect American workers during a time of high injury and death rates. The impact has been profound, but the job isn’t done. New hazards and shifting priorities make OSHA’s mission more vital than ever. Its ongoing work ensures that employers take responsibility and that employees return home safely each day.
For more information, please contact our Undefeated workplace accident attorneys in Houston, Texas at Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
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