Final answer:
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) was passed to ensure employers provide a safe work environment, particularly essential in the healthcare industry due to exposure risks. It requires hazard communication, safety training, and the provision of personal protective equipment. OSHA enforces compliance with health and safety regulations to protect workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
True: The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) was indeed passed to ensure that employers provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. This is especially critical in the healthcare industry due to the potential exposure to bacteria, viruses, and contaminated fluids.
The OHSA outlines general health and safety regulations that workplaces must follow, such as informing workers about hazards, providing training, and taking necessary steps to prevent dangerous conditions. Employers must also provide personal protective equipment and comply with specific safety standards to prevent a range of hazards including falls, exposure to harmful chemicals, and operating dangerous equipment. Ultimately, the aim is to reduce risks by implementing safer practices and engaging in proactive hazard management.
Under the General Duty Clause of the OHSA, even when no specific standard applies, employers are required to keep workplaces free from serious recognized hazards. OSHA's role is to issue workplace health and safety regulations, enforce standards, and provide training to ensure that worker safety and health are prioritized.