Even though we’ve come a long way in the past few decades, it’s safe to say that the environment for workers remains a hot topic of discussion. That doesn’t mean that there have been no significant advancements in our ability to keep people safe and healthy at work. When it comes to workplace health and safety standards, the United States is one of the most progressive countries in the world. This is large because every US standard products has been set by federal law, not by industry or state legislature. Each standard has its unique requirements, but they are all aligned under a common objective: keeping workers healthy and safe at work. To help you understand where you stand as a company and employee regarding these standards, here are the U.S. standards for workplace safety and health.
The standard for a safe and healthy work environment.
As the first workplace standard of its kind, the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Safety and Health at Work Act of 1958 set a standard for workplace safety and health that has guided many subsequent developments. The law itself authorizes the creation of workplace “environments” that either “create or prevent” hazards to workers. The law defines the term “environments” to include “all areas where work is done, including but not limited to, the workplace, the home, and the travel distance to the workplace.” To keep workers safe and healthy at work, every component of an employee’s work environment—from the tools and equipment used to the way that those tools are maintained and stored to the physical layout of the office or factory—must be healthy and functional.
Standard for ergonomics
Just as we know that a safe and healthy work environment is essential to keeping workers healthy, we also know that it’s important to keep their work environment safe and healthy as well. This is why workplace ergonomics is one of the top 10 standards for workplace safety and health. Working within the framework of a healthy and safe work environment, employees can benefit from being able to focus more time and energy on what’s most important: their job. This can directly improve their productivity and allow them to spend less time on things that aren’t essential to their job—or, heaven forbid, their health.
The standard for environmental health and safety.
Beyond workplace standards, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has a special program to promote healthy working conditions in the home. This program, which is called mainly involves toxicology and health studies that examine the effects of various chemicals and toxic substances on humans, animals, and ecosystems. The results of these studies are compiled into “harmful effects data banks” that the EPA uses to evaluate the safety of consumer products and provide regulatory guidance. As a result of this work, the EPA has compiled a list of 37 substances of particular concern for indoor air quality. These substances include lead, asbestos, and others. Of these, 16 have been classified as “hazardous” under the Environmental Protection Act. The remaining 31 chemicals have been classified as “not significant” under the law.
Final Words
When it comes to workplace health and safety standards, the United States is one of the most progressive countries in the world. This is large because every American working standard has been set by federal law, not by industry or state legislature. Each standard has its unique requirements, but they are all aligned under a common objective: keeping workers healthy and safe at work. To help you understand where you stand as a company and employee regarding these standards, here are the top 10 U.S. standards for workplace safety and health.