Occupational safety and health (OSH) is an interdisciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health, and welfare of people engaged in work. The goal of occupational safety and health programs is to foster a safe and healthy work environment. OSH may also protect coworkers, family members, employers, customers, and any other individuals who might be affected by the workplace environment. While OSH is generally inward looking, there are also significant concerns regarding the safety of, and/or environmental impact on, surrounding communities as well.
Health and safety warnings
Workers should be aware of workplace hazards. Image from: www.complianceandsafety.com.
Importance and Objectives
Occupational safety and health can be important for moral, legal, and financial reasons. Moral obligations involve the protection of an employee's life and health. There is also a legal aspect in that there are laws that protect workers' safety and health and that can help them be compensated for violations. In financial terms, OSH can reduce employee injury- and illness-related costs, including medical care, sick leave, and disability-benefit costs. High levels of corporate responsibility also lead to employees, customers, and other stakeholders trusting the company more, improving job satisfaction, brand image, and community relationships.
The main focus of OSH is on three different objectives:
- Maintenance and promotion of workers' health and working capacity
- Improvement of the working environment to make it safer and healthier
- Development of work organizations and cultures that support health and safety at the workplace
Interdisciplinary Connections
OSH may involve interactions among many subject areas, including:
- Occupational medicine
- Occupational hygiene
- Public health
- Safety engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Chemistry
- Health physics
- Ergonomics
- Occupational health psychology
The basic premise behind these interactions is ensuring the health and safety of all employees. While physical health is usually the focus here, it is important to note that mental, emotional, and environmental health are relevant to this field as well.
Government Agencies
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created both the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, is responsible for developing and enforcing workplace safety and health regulations. NIOSH, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is focused on research, information, education, and training in occupational safety and health.