In 1970, U.S. Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. §651 et seq.) to ensure worker and workplace safety. It stipulates that employers must provide a place of employment free from safety and health hazards. Examples of hazards include exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions.
In order to establish the standards for workplace health and safety, the OSH Act created the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). NIOSH researches and makes suggestions on the most current methods for preventing work-related injuries or illnesses. OSHA creates or updates standards according to that research and enforces those standards.