OSH Act Passes, 1970

In the 1960s, both Democrats and Republicans in Congress worked to create comprehensive federal legislation to protect worker safety, which led to the passing of the OSH Act. While both parties remained committed to passing legislation, the parties disputed which entity (or entities) should oversee and enforce the regulations that would be in place.

The following brief timeline shows some of the major steps in passing federal worker safety legislation:

• 1968: President Lyndon B. Johnson proposed a bill to Congress that would improve occupational health and safety. Although many labor leaders supported this legislation, most manufacturers and businesses opposed the bill. The legislation did not make it past committee hearings. Johnson's term as president ended the same year.
• 1969: President Richard Nixon introduced two bills to Congress to protect worker health and safety. After some debate and adjustments to the bill, it was determined that the Secretary of Labor would set the safety and health standards, while a separate commission would oversee Labor Department enforcement. It passed the Senate vote.
• 1970: President Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act).

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