UNITED STATES
Within the United States safety of work issues exist just as they do in my other countries around the world. In the United States the major governing body that overseas the administration and regulation of workplaces acts and situations is the Department of Labor. Within the Department of Labor there are several agencies and offices that handle various issues, such as the (OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the (BLS) Bureau of Labor and Statistics, and the (OWCP) Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
Department of Labor
The Department of Labor was established in 1913 by the signing of a legislative bill by President William Howard Taft "to foster, promote and develop the welfare of working people, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment"(DOL 2007f). The creation of this department lead to it becoming the governing authority for many agencies within the federal government, many of which deal and have dealt with worker safety issues.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration otherwise known as OSHA, was created on April 28, 1971 by the Department of Labor after the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (DOL 2007g). The primary purpose for the creation of this agency was to administer the newly created Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The Act was created to protect workers from harm on the job and also created a federal program that would protect almost the entire workforce from job related death, illness, and injury (DOL 2007g).
Bureau of Labor and Statistics
...