The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act, put in place in 1970, maintains a safe and healthy working environment for employees of companies and businesses.  It requires that employers provide a workplace that is hazard free for their workers. 

The Act also created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or the OSHA., as a division of the U.S. Department of Labor.  OSHA is responsible for monitoring almost every employer in the nation, except the mines, which fall separately under the Mine Safety and Health Act. 

OSHA develops and enforces standards and regulations, conducts inspections, and proposes penalties for those not up to standard.  Above OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, which settles disputes between OSHA and employers.

The text of the law