What is OSHA?
OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It is an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor and came into existence when Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970. Its mission is to protect workers from work-related injuries, sicknesses, or death. OSHA creates “standards for workplace safety and health” by which the majority of private sector employers must abide.
Despite the presence of OSHA regulations, some employers still fail to provide a safe environment for their employees. If a worker is injured due to an unsafe workplace, he or she may be able to claim workers’ compensation benefits. Legal professionals like the Philadelphia worker’s compensation lawyers at Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. can help hurt employees fight for assistance they need.
OSHA’s Impact
OSHA has been responsible for many important changes in the work place. Some of their most important regulations include:
- Guards on moving parts
- Chemical exposure limits
- Air sampling of confined spaces
- Hazard Communication or “Right to Know”
- Exposure to asbestos
- Exposure to blood borne pathogens
These regulations have made workplaces much safer for industrial employees, but OSHA has standards for non-industrial work environments, as well. Contact a legal counselor or visit the OSHA website if you want to learn more.
Contact Us
If you have been hurt because of an employer’s negligence or a dangerous workplace, you may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits. Contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-329-3511 to make sure you receive appropriate payment for your injuries and missed work time.