Civil Enforcement

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), commonly known as the "OSH Act," was enacted in 1970. It was based on the fact that Congress found 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. The purpose of the OSH Act is to provide for the general welfare, to assure so far as possible every working man and woman is in a safe and healthful working condition, and to preserve our human resources. In other words, the Act is to assure that "worker protection" is provided by employers. 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 the OSHA standards in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the other territories under federal government jurisdiction.

In order to establish standards for workplace health and safety, the OSH Act also created the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as the research institution for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

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