In recent decades, major, economy-altering safety legislation has been passed, along with lesser regulations.
The field continues to grow and adapt.
Post-Civil-War Era
The problem of workplace hazards became apparent after the Civil War.
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These factories were equipped with dangerous machinery, and they were dirty and poorly ventilated.
Many factory owners refused to open windows because the wind could disrupt their materials.
That left workers breathing in chemical fumes, dust, and other particulate matter.
By 1890, 21 states had some kind of law limiting health hazards in the workplace.
Rules differed from state to state and werent always enforced.
That led to the movement of businesses from state to state.
A back-and-forth progression began as the public demanded stricter laws, and businesses fought to loosen them.
This was the first far-reaching federal law to protect American workers.
A variety of degrees and certifications are available for people interested in the field.
Thats despite dramatic increases in the countrys workforce.
This doesnt mean that workplace health and safety is no longer an issue, though.
Nearly three million people still suffer some kind of serious work-related injury or illness every year in the U.S.
Millions more are exposed to environmental health hazards that could cause issues years later.
This only enforces the important and continued role of occupational health and safety professionals.
Employee Benefits
Workers benefit greatly from occupational health and safety measures.
Workers using these chemicals should wear safety gear including protection for the eyes and respirators.
These precautions should start before the work even begins during the earliest part of the planning stages.
Indeed, these sectors experience some of the highest fatal accident numbers for U.S. workers.
However, non-fatal injuries and illnesses tell a significantly different story.
There is also the added burden of treatment costs and human pain.
This was the case regardless of whether individuals worked out regularly.
Sitting for too long too often can have devastating consequences over time.
Summary
Occupational health and safety is the field of assessing workplace safety and preventing on-the-job accidents.
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2017;167(7):465-475. doi:10.7326/M17-0212
