was developed in the 1970s to set a set standard in ensuring employers are following the proper safety and guidelines needed to protect their employees. Some find it difficult to use cases against the employers in regards to accidents by their employees. Many employers will try to falsify documents in order to prevent them from being brought up on criminal charges.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
OSHA, which is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, was created in 1970 by Congress. It was designed to "assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance " (www.osha.gov). OSHA falls under the United States Department of Labor. OSHA has an administrator who is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Also, OSHA's administrator only answers to the Secretary of Labor, who is one of the cabinet members of the President of the United States.
OSHA mainly cover private sector employers and their individual workers. Although it does cover some of the "private sector employers and workers in the 50 states and certain territories and jurisdictions " (www.osha.gov). The purpose of OSHA is that "employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace " (www.osha.gov). They are to enforce any and all safety standards, ensure all employers and employees receive training, education and any assistance needed. All employers are required to follow all of OSHA's standards, as well as the general Duty Clause of the OSH Act, "which requires employers to keep their workplace free of serious recognized hazards.
It has been stated that OSHA has started refer more of its cases for investigation of criminal charges to the Justice Department. Two separate attorneys, Jordan Schwartz and Eric Conn, have said that "they have been told off-the-record from several OSHA representatives that as a matter of policy, OSHA now makes a criminal referral in every case involving an employee fatality and a willful violation" (Hosier).
