Final answer:
The question concerns the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which requires employers to maintain a safe workplace for employees. It encompasses training, identifying hazards, and taking corrective measures to eliminate or reduce risks. The protection of workers' health and safety is also illuminated by the negative repercussions faced by companies, like Firestone and Ford, that neglected these responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase “____ is about your employer protecting you from harm” relates to the principles outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Under OHSA, employers are required to protect workers from health and safety hazards in the workplace. This includes providing information about potential hazards, ensuring that working conditions do not pose a risk of serious harm, and offering training in a language and format that employees can understand.
Employers must adhere to OSHA standards and take proactive steps to find and correct safety and health problems. For example, this may involve replacing hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives, using ventilated systems to clear harmful fumes, or providing personal protective gear such as gloves and masks when necessary. Employee rights include filing confidential complaints, having access to workplace medical records, and participating in OSHA inspections without fear of retaliation or discrimination.
The importance of maintaining a safe workplace is highlighted not only by the legal obligations and potential fines for violating these standards but also by the adverse impact on the company's reputation and finances in the long term, as evident from historical cases like the Firestone/Ford tire controversy. Ensuring safety in the workplace ultimately benefits both employees and the company.