Final answer:
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, or OSHA, was enacted to safeguard workers from job-related hazards, mandating employers to inform about risks and setting health and safety standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was passed in response to public concern over increasing numbers of on-the-job injuries and deaths. This act, known as OSHA, is crucial for protecting workers from health and safety hazards on the job, setting a precedent for safe working conditions.
Employers are required to inform workers about potential hazards, and OSHA is authorized to set workplace health and safety standards, enforce rules, and offer education and assistance to further ensure worker safety.
The creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (also abbreviated as OSHA) played a pivotal role in shaping federal policies for workplace health and safety. The act was a response to a significant public outcry, which had been echoed in the earlier labor movements, and was aimed at preventing physical harm in the workplace through a variety of regulations.
These include chemical exposure limits, personal protective equipment requirements, and safeguards against falls and operating dangerous equipment.