Final answer:
The designated safety officer is responsible for health and safety rule implementation and maintenance, following regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and enforced by OSHA, which mandates employers to maintain a safe environment and comply with safety and health standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The designated safety officer is generally responsible for the implementation and maintenance of health and safety rules in the workplace. According to Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, Federal Agency Safety Programs and Responsibilities demand that each agency of the United States have a program concerning the occupational safety and health of its employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a part of the Department of Labor and plays a critical role in ensuring that employers adhere to safety guidelines and regulations, aimed at providing a workplace free from serious recognized hazards.
Employers are required to inform and train employees on potential hazards, provide personal protective equipment at no cost, and keep accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses. For instance, employers are mandated to provide safety training in a language and vocabulary workers can understand, along with performing necessary tests like air sampling, and notifying OSHA in the event of severe workplace incidents. The OSH Act ensures that there are clear channels of responsibility when it comes to workplace safety and health.