What is the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)?
Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths by assuring that the workplace environment is safe and healthy. To fulfill this purpose, OSHA authorized the Secretary of Labor, who is the head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (also referred to OSHA), to setup and enforce safety standards for employees working in dangerous circumstances, such as handling hazardous wastes.
