Why did U.S. Congress pass the OSH Act in 1970?

The passage of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act in 1970 was primarily a response to the alarming rates of workplace deaths, injuries, and illnesses that were prevalent at the time. In the years leading up to the enactment of the OSH Act, reports indicated that thousands of American workers were suffering from work-related issues, leading to significant public concern and advocacy for safer working conditions.

The OSH Act aimed to ensure that employers provide a safe and healthy workplace for their employees by establishing enforceable standards and promoting safety education and training. This focus on protecting worker health and safety was a direct acknowledgment of the urgent need to address the high casualty rates and unsafe work environments that had become all too common.

While the establishment of a new federal agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), was indeed part of the OSH Act's provisions, the primary motivation was the critical need to curb the high rates of workplace fatalities and injuries, making it the main driving force behind the legislation.