Washington — To mark the 50th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA has launched a webpage highlighting the agency’s work over the decades.
On Dec. 29, 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the legislation and paved the way for OSHA’s creation. In that time, workplace fatalities have decreased to about 14 a day in 2018 from around 38 a day in 1970, and the annual injury and illness rate among private-industry employees declined to 2.8 per 100 workers in 2018 from 10.9 in 1972.
“OSHA has helped transform America’s workplaces by dramatically reducing workplace fatalities and significantly decreasing the worker injury rate,” acting administrator Loren Sweatt says in a video posted on the webpage. “Even with these dramatic improvements to worker safety, our work is not done. As we celebrate 50 years of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, I hope you will join us in making a renewed commitment to keeping workers safe and healthy. It’s every worker’s right.”
The agency is expected to announce upcoming events honoring the anniversary.