The changes in legislation can profoundly shape the experiences of many people, but the importance of such changes often goes unnoticed. This paper is aimed at discussing one of the legal acts strongly influenced many stakeholders. In particular, it is necessary to focus on the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) as well as its major principles. Much attention should be paid to the long-term implications of this bill. Overall, one can say that this law helped businesses and workers reach a compromise because it reduced the risk to which employees could be exposed and contributed to the use of more effective technologies. This is the main argument that can be put forward.
To a large extent, OSCHA can be viewed as a response the numerous conflicts between employees and employers. It should be born in mind that before the adoption of this bill, the safety of workers could often be overlooked by policy-makers and businesses. This is why employees could often be exposed to various toxic or explosive materials, electric hazards, or failed machinery. As a result, many of them could die or sustain permanent injuries (Crawford 2). In turn, employees were often unable to uphold their rights. This is why it was critical to address this problem because there could be numerous confrontations between workers and employers. So, this bill was important for the development of the economy. This is one of the aspects that should be distinguished.
Secondly, one can say that OSHA brought several improvements into the working conditions of people. First of all, it changed the standards that employers had to meet. They were responsible for the management of hazardous of chemicals and machinery (Schnepp 6). Furthermore, this law made them responsible for the sanitary conditions in which people worked. Moreover, this law helped workers defend their rights in the court. Therefore, one can say that this legal act was critical for protecting the safety of workers. Moreover, this legal act was important for avoiding many incidents that could result in death or serious traumas. These are the main beneficial impacts of this legal act.
To a great extent, this legal act changed the way in which manufacturing businesses approached the design of the production process and many other activities. Admittedly, their operational costs increased; however, these measures were necessary for the improvement of their performance (Roelofs 30). They were prompted to use more efficient technologies. In the long term, this trend increased the performance of many manufacturing companies (Roelofs 30). Thus, one should not suppose that OSHA only placed an extra burden on businesses. This is one of the details that should be distinguished.
This discussion suggests that the adoption of OSHA profoundly affected such stakeholders as companies and workers. In particular, this law helped them to resolve or avoid many conflicts that could be related to working conditions of people. Yet, it is necessary to ask a question how legislators should resolve conflicting interests of businesses and workers. One should find solutions that can suit various stakeholders. This is the main goal that should be achieved by policy-makers who should identify the most urgent needs of the community. OSHA is an example of a legal change that positively affected many people. This is the main point that should be made.
References
Crawford, Clarence. Occupational Safety and Health: Changes Needed in the Combined Federal-state Approach, Washington: United States General Accounting Office, 1993. Print.
Roelofs, Cora. Preventing Hazards at the Source, New York: AIHA, 2007. Print.
Schnepp, Rob. Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2009. Print.