Final answer:
Employees are the primary beneficiaries of workplace safety regulations as they are protected from various hazards, leading to a safer and healthier work environment. OSHA standards and regulatory enforcement play critical roles in maintaining these protections, benefiting employers and the public as well.
Step-by-step explanation:
Those who benefit most from workplace safety regulations are the employees themselves. Regulations ensure that workers are protected from health and safety hazards, allowing them to work in an environment that minimizes risks of accidents and occupational diseases. Not only do the employees benefit directly from safer working conditions, but employers also gain by having a healthier and more productive workforce. Additionally, the public benefits by reducing the potential for harm that can come from industrial accidents, as seen in the case of the Firestone/Ford tire controversy.
OSHA standards play a pivotal role in protecting workers by providing comprehensive guidelines that employers must follow, including fall protection, trenching cave-ins prevention, infectious disease exposure control, and more. Adherence to these standards and the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act can prevent severe incidents and tragedies, such as the ones leading to public outcry and the subsequent legislations spurring the growth of unions like ILGWU and federal laws. The ergonomics standard issued by OSHA and later repealed is an example of the evolving landscape of occupational health and safety regulations.
Moreover, regulatory enforcement by OSHA ensures compliance with these standards. Compliance Safety and Health Officers carry out inspections, and fines are assessed for violations. Inspections may occur in response to worker complaints, accidents, or as part of routine checks in hazardous industries. Such measures demonstrate the government's commitment to promoting general welfare and protecting workers' rights while ensuring meaningful work within a safe environment.