OSHA History
Why is OSHA Important to You?
OSHA began because, until 1970, there were no national laws for safety and health hazards. In 1970, an estimated 14,000 workers were killed on the job - about 38 every day. Some historical events that led to the OSHA law include:
This image shows the 1911 Shirtwaist Company building on fire.
- The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in New York City killed 146 employees in one of the worst work-related disasters in our country's history. Factory workers, mainly young female immigrants, died because doors were locked and there were no fire escapes. This tragedy outraged the public, who called for safety and health reform.
- Production for World War I caused a crisis in workplace safety and health conditions. The government created a Working Conditions Service to help states inspect plants and reduce hazards.
- In the 1930's, as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal, additional laws increased the federal government's role in job safety and health. But the federal role was mainly to provide service and information to state governments.
- By the late 1950's, the Federal-State partnership could no longer deal with the growing workforce and increasing hazards. Additional federal laws were enacted, but only covered certain industries.
4,836 workers were killed on the job in 2015 - on average, more than 93 a week or more than 13 deaths every day. Worker injuries and illnesses are down-from 10.9 incidents per 100 workers in 1972 to 3.0 per 100 in 2015. Worker deaths in America are down-on average, from about 38 worker deaths a day in 1970 to 13 a day in 2015.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-1. What was the historic tragedy that outraged the public, who called for safety and health reform?
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