OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) Occupational Safety and Health Act

INTRODUCTION
Occupational safety and health is a situation where an employee needs a safe and healthy workplace environment for himself and others who may be affected by his activities.

PHILOSOPHY AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ACT
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act the responsibility to ensure safety and health in the workplace includes introducing the concept of safety and health in the workplace under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA). It explains OSHA's objective to ensure the safety, health and well-being of workers. This document also lists the responsibilities of employers and employees under the law.

Among the purposes of establishing the act are:

• Ensure the safety, health and welfare of the working people.
• Protecting the safety or health of others other than those who are working.
• Creating a work environment that is compatible with the physiological and psychological needs of the people who are working.
• Create a method of legal system based on industry regulations and codes of practice in addition to the provisions of the act.

SECURITY ASPECTS

Definition of Safety

A state of being safe from experiencing or causing pain, injury or loss (loss).

Definition of Accident

An accident is an unplanned incident that results in injury to individuals, destruction to plant and equipment or both.

Definition of Hazard

Anything that has the potential to harm workers either in terms of safety or health.

Definition of Risk

The probability for a hazard to cause harm.

Safety in the Workshop or in the Workplace

There are some practices or safety that need to be applied in the area or place of work:

• Make sure the workplace is clean and safe to do any work or task
• Ensure that the work area has adequate ventilation and lighting.
• Identify the emergency routes used and make sure they are not obstructed by objects that can make it difficult to pass.
• Make sure the safety systems in the workplace are working properly.
• Identify the position of fire extinguishers and first aid kits so that they are easily accessible in the event of a fire or accident.