Unit VIII Journal
Columbia Southern University
Course
Part I
The enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) in 1970 marked a pivotal
shift in the evaluation and management of health hazards by industrial hygienists (IHs) within regulated
facilities. Prior to the introduction of the OSH Act, the domain of occupational health and safety was
minimally regulated, exposing workers to numerous environmental and chemical dangers without
adequate protection or oversight. With the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), a new era of workplace safety was ushered in, characterized by the introduction
of specific measures such as Mandatory Exposure Limits (MELs), the Right to Know policy, and the
General Duty Clause.
MELs were instrumental in setting definitive exposure thresholds for various chemicals and
physical agents, thereby providing IHs with quantifiable criteria for risk assessment and the
, implementation of control measures. Similarly, the Right to Know initiative empowered workers with
access to crucial information regarding their exposure to hazardous substances, enhancing the ability of
IHs to conduct comprehensive hazard evaluations. Furthermore, the General Duty Clause mandated that
employers maintain a workspace devoid of serious recognized hazards, broadening the scope of hazard
assessment for IHs beyond narrowly defined standards.
Additionally, the OSH Act facilitated advancements in IH methodologies and tools through the
provision of research and training funds, enabling a proactive approach towards hazard management.
This transition from a predominantly reactive stance, focused on addressing accidents and illnesses
post-occurrence, to a preventive strategy aimed at hazard identification and mitigation prior to adverse
outcomes represented a significant evolution in the field of industrial hygiene, directly attributable to
the legislative framework introduced by the OSH Act.
Part II
11:13:56 GMT -05:00
Columbia Southern University
Course
Part I
The enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) in 1970 marked a pivotal
shift in the evaluation and management of health hazards by industrial hygienists (IHs) within regulated
facilities. Prior to the introduction of the OSH Act, the domain of occupational health and safety was
minimally regulated, exposing workers to numerous environmental and chemical dangers without
adequate protection or oversight. With the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), a new era of workplace safety was ushered in, characterized by the introduction
of specific measures such as Mandatory Exposure Limits (MELs), the Right to Know policy, and the
General Duty Clause.
MELs were instrumental in setting definitive exposure thresholds for various chemicals and
physical agents, thereby providing IHs with quantifiable criteria for risk assessment and the
, implementation of control measures. Similarly, the Right to Know initiative empowered workers with
access to crucial information regarding their exposure to hazardous substances, enhancing the ability of
IHs to conduct comprehensive hazard evaluations. Furthermore, the General Duty Clause mandated that
employers maintain a workspace devoid of serious recognized hazards, broadening the scope of hazard
assessment for IHs beyond narrowly defined standards.
Additionally, the OSH Act facilitated advancements in IH methodologies and tools through the
provision of research and training funds, enabling a proactive approach towards hazard management.
This transition from a predominantly reactive stance, focused on addressing accidents and illnesses
post-occurrence, to a preventive strategy aimed at hazard identification and mitigation prior to adverse
outcomes represented a significant evolution in the field of industrial hygiene, directly attributable to
the legislative framework introduced by the OSH Act.
Part II
11:13:56 GMT -05:00
