Occupational safety and health (OSH) concerns the health, safety and welfare of workers in the workplace. We also call it Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Occupational Health.
Besides promoting a healthy and safe work environment, the term also includes the protection of co-workers and family members. In some cases, OHS may include customers, employers, and others who may be affected by the work environment.
“In the United States, the term occupational health and safety refers to occupational and non-occupational health and safety and includes the safety of activities outside of work.”
Businesses and other employers, in common law jurisdictions, have a legal obligation to give reasonable care and ensure the safety of their workers. State law often sets out specific obligations and creates government agencies that regulate safety issues in the workplace.
Occupational medicine, with a focus on employee well-being, is part of OSH. OSH is part of the occupational psychology.
When referring to a specific work injury case, the term occupational injury is used.
Safety and health in the workplace cares about everyone
OSH concerns both employers and employees. Our workplaces have several types of hazards. Every year, millions of workers around the world are injured, disabled or die on the job.
According to the National Safety Council, a 501(k) nonprofit public service organization promoting health and safety in the United States:
“Costs related to injury and illness, uncompensated wages, insurance premiums, hiring replacement workers, damaged equipment and production disruptions are huge costs for businesses and economy in general.
Many companies, especially larger ones, have a team of qualified and experienced occupational safety and health professionals.
However, for most small employers, the job of creating and implementing sickness and injury programs rests with employees. These employees specialize in other areas, such as human resources, quality control, or security. The letters HR stands for Human Resources.
Occupational Safety and health in the EU
In a report, the European Occupational Safety and Health Authority (EU-OSHA) said rates of health problems and injuries have decreased over the past decades.
However, employees still report persistent and emerging work-related health and safety risks in the workplace.
In their report – “Management of Occupational Safety and Health” – the authors wrote:
“Poor health and safety, in addition to physical and emotional harm, has financial implications for individuals, the workplace and society at large.”
OSH in the United States
In the United States, workers’ health and safety laws have been in effect since 1970. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 required research, recommendations, and advice developed to help employees and employers. The 1970 law also required employers to apply health and safety standards. Employers must comply with the new rules and the government must monitor and enforce them.
In the United States, rates of injury and illness have also declined over the past few decades. However, American workers, like European workers, still report persistent and emerging employment risks.
