Final answer:
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 regulated employees' exposure to hazardous substances and established OSHA to enforce safety and health regulations in the workplace, including chemical hazard communication and use of protective equipment to mitigate risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 regulated the degree to which employees can be exposed to hazardous substances. The Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions. OSHA sets health and safety standards, such as limits on hazardous chemical exposure, procedures for employees to access information on hazards, and mandates for the use of personal protective equipment to mitigate risks.
Employers have the responsibility under OSHA to provide a workplace free from serious hazards by complying with standards, which includes measures to eliminate or reduce hazards, inform workers about chemical hazards, and provide necessary safety training and equipment. OSHA standards are designed to protect workers from hazards related to fall protection, trenching, infectious diseases, harmful chemicals, machine guarding, and more, with the General Duty Clause covering recognized hazards not specifically addressed by OSHA standards.
Different jobs can expose workers to varying levels of hazardous substances, often absorbing through skin or enhanced by inhalation, especially in environments where protective measures may not be as stringent. Therefore, it is critical that employers adhere to OSHA standards to prevent occupational exposures and create a safer workplace for all employees.