Final answer:
Executive Order 12196 is directed at establishing occupational safety and health programs for federal employees, aligning with OSHA's mission to ensure safe and healthful working conditions. It mandates that federal agency heads are responsible for worker safety in compliance with OSHA standards, which include setting health and safety guidelines and enforcing them through employer responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Executive Order 12196, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees, directs the establishment of occupational safety and health programs for federal employees. In particular, it tasks the head of each federal agency with the responsibility of providing safe working conditions for their employees, following the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Order requires federal agencies to operate in compliance with the standards and regulations set by OSHA, ensuring that working conditions are free from recognized hazards that could cause harm.
OSHA's mission is to "assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance." The agency issues health and safety standards that include but are not limited to, chemical exposure limits, hazard communication, and the use of personal protective equipment. Employers are required to prioritize the elimination of risks through safer work environments, and also to inform workers about potential hazards and provide necessary training.