OSHA, or theOccupational Safety andHealth Administration,isagovernmental bodydedicated toworkplacesafety standards in the United States.
Because of OSHA, tens of thousands of liveshavebeensaved from tragedy in the workplacesince the 1970s. The regulations set by OSHA ensure that workers are protected and that employers are held responsible to provide safety education and equipment.
Prioritizing safety is important for all industries, but it is especially necessary in construction and manufacturing due to thedangers present in the workplace.NRTC Automationupholds safety as the number one priority inallour services.
Learn more about OSHA’s history and its regulations for construction and manufacturing below!
History of OSHA
Before OSHA
Before the 1970s, there was very littlelegislation on safety in the workplace.
In fact, prior to the workers’ compensation movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries,workplace safety was basically nonexistent. Once workers’ rights became a conversation in Congress, laws to protect workers started togo into effect.
However, the laws for workplace safety were still negligible.In 1970, there were over 14,000 fatalities due to work-related accidents and injuries. After years ofwhat could have beenpreventable deaths and injuries, President Lyndon Johnson proposed legislation for workplace safety.
OSHA’s Beginnings
President Richard Nixon signed the OccupationalSafety and HealthAct in December of 1970,establishing a new eraof workplace safety.The law officially went into effect in April of 1971.
OSHA struggled at first to create clear and comprehensive laws for workplace safetyuntilthe Assistant Secretary of Labor,Dr.Eula Bingham,arrived. She improved OSHA by discarding trivial laws and clarifying necessary standards to manageserious health and safety situations.
Dr.Binghammet adversaries in big business and Congresssince regulations could hurt economic activity, but she was backed by President Jimmy Carter to pursue workplace safetyfor American citizens.
SinceDr.Bingham’s leadership, OSHA has been improving its laws and regulations to protect the rights and safety of people in the workplace.
Safety inConstruction and Manufacturing
From childcare to food prep,OSHA’s lawscover safety for all industries.
The construction and manufacturing industries are especially prone to accidents and fatalities due to heavy machinery and the dangerous heightsthat workers scale in order to performtheir jobs.
These are the basic safety regulations that should be maintained in the workplace in order to be compliant with OSHA’s standards:
EmployeeEducation and Compliance Assistance:Workers should know their rights, as well as the safety procedures they must follow to protect themselves and others from harm. The employer should provide this information before the worker begins employment andoffer assistanceforcompliance,if necessary.
Fair and Effective Enforcement:Employers should enforce OSHA’s regulations to ensure that workers continue to prevent accidents in the workplace. Enforcement may include regular refreshers on OSHA’s safety standards orgiving warningstoworkers who were not complying with OSHA’sregulations.
EffectiveHazardManagement:Hazards such as falls, repetitive motion injuries, collapses, and more should be approached from every angle toprotect workers frominjuries or fatalities. This could include using safety net systems, immediately correcting any slippery areas on stairs, or markingtoxic chemicals with signage to alert workers about danger.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):Employers should provideany and allPPE to workers, and workers are expected to wear PPE in the workplace. PPE includes hard hats,high-visibility gear like bright yellow vests, steel-toe boots,gloves,and othersafetyequipment.
NRTC Automation follows these guidelines closely with safety signs and perimeters, branded safety gear, and a project manager toenforce OSHA guidelines with each tear out. Ourworkers can focus on your equipment and facility with peace of mind knowing their safety is prioritized.
OSHA Today
Compared to the tens of thousands of fatalities before OSHA (andconsidering the fact thatworkplace accidents were not accurately recorded), the number of fatalities and injuries have dropped markedly due to OSHA’s standards.
In 2009, there wereless than 5,000 fatalities recorded in the workplace.The mandates set by OSHA for safety may have preventedover10,000 deaths from avoidable accidents and even more injuries.
Workers can be more productive and efficient because they feel safe and secure.By complying with OSHA regulations, employers and employees can enjoy a safer workplace.
SAFETY IS NRTC AUTOMATION’S PRIORITY.
AtNRTC Automation, we take OSHA’s standards seriously.We follow OSHA safety guidelines in every tear out and with each service. Our team members wear bright and brandedsafetygear, set up safety perimeters and signage, set up a plan for safe and efficient tear outs, andmore.
Whether we are building your parts in our warehouses or tearing out your facility, NRTC Automation followsall safety precautionsto provide professionaland reliable services.
For more information on NRTC Automation’s commitment to safety, or to learn more about how we can serve your industrial and automation needs,contact us today.
