Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Entrepreneurship Practice Test

What act, passed by Congress in 1970, established workplace safety standards?

1. Fair Labor Standards Act

2. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

3. Employee Retirement Income Security Act

4. Mine Safety and Health Act

The correct answer is: Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), passed by Congress in 1970, plays a crucial role in establishing workplace safety standards across various industries. This act was designed to ensure that employers provide their employees with a working environment that is free from recognized hazards that can cause or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Under OSHA, the federal government is empowered to set and enforce safety and health standards, conduct inspections, and enforce compliance in the workplace. The significance of this act lies in its comprehensive framework that requires employers to maintain a safe workplace and to comply with the standards set forth by OSHA. It also established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal agency responsible for regulating workplace safety. This act has resulted in numerous regulations and guidelines that protect workers in different sectors from various hazards, making it a foundational law for workplace safety in the United States.