Homework answers / question archive / PART 1  An environmental law or act that impacts my industry is OSHA or Occupational Health and Safety Act

PART 1  An environmental law or act that impacts my industry is OSHA or Occupational Health and Safety Act

Business

Share With

---

PART 1 

An environmental law or act that impacts my industry is OSHA or Occupational Health and Safety Act. This act creates workplace safety standards. According to the EPA, " Congress passed the Occupational and Safety Health Act to ensure worker and workplace safety. Their goal was to make sure employers provide their workers a place of employment free from recognized hazards to safety and health, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions" (para 1). One example my employer maintains this safety standard is its annual ladder safety training. I work for a large insurance company and several thousand employees are property claims adjusters. Part of their job duties requires them to be able to climb roofs and estimate damages. Every field adjuster has to complete annual ladder safety training to ensure compliance with OSHA safety standards. 

In the case of the ladder safety training, I believe the regulations set forth by OSHA help their business. While it would not prevent a workers compensation claim, it relieves some of the negligence off of my employer if an employee were to get hurt climbing the ladder if the employer did not adhere to the guidelines and did not ensure all employees in the field completed this annual training. 

If they were to disregard the safety standards and not provide proper training and their negligence lead to an employee injury, it would open them up to a potential lawsuit. 

PART 2

The environmental law OSHA or Occupational Health and Safety Act is the overarching authority over workplace safety standards.  An incident that I was working with that this act came into play was the discovery of asbestos in the ceiling of a new ops floor that my squadron was supposed to move in.   Asbestos fibers can be breathed in causing a buildup of scar-like tissue in the lungs called asbestosis. This impairs lung function and can cause death or permanent disability. This is a well-known problem that has takes very little exposure to cause serious health issues. Abiding by OSHA is paramount to the safety of anyone working or even walking in a building with asbestos.  OSHA is for the public at large but also for the benefit of a business to not endure lawsuits.