THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF WORKPLACE SAFETY: AN ANALYSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS IN THE UNITED STATES

AUTHOR – POORNAMATHI N.C. & GOWSALYA. S.

LLM STUDENTS AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW, THE TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – POORNAMATHI N.C. & GOWSALYA. S, THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF WORKPLACE SAFETY: AN ANALYSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS IN THE UNITED STATES, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (12) OF 2025, PG. 1071-1078, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

Abstract

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards are foundational to protecting workers from workplace hazards and risks. In the United States, this framework is anchored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a federal agency within the Department of Labor, established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act). This article examines the historical context that necessitated the OSH Act, the statutory duties it imposes on employers, the various standards enforced by OSHA, and the comprehensive mechanisms for enforcement, investigation, and penalty. Furthermore, it details the crucial rights afforded to employees, including protection against retaliation, and analyses landmark court cases that have shaped the interpretation and application of the OSH Act, underscoring its enduring role in reducing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.

Keywords:

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), OSHA, Workplace Safety, Employee Rights, General Duty Clause, Enforcement, Landmark Cases, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC)