OSHA safety regulations are constantly changing, as the need for improvement concerning safety in the workplace changes. OSHA, which stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is a large organization administered by the Federal government, which consists of 2,100 inspectors nationwide.
OSHA has over 200 offices in the United States, with a large workforce, including engineers, complaint investigators, educators, physicians, writers, and technical and support staff, in addition to the large number of inspectors.
The goal of OSHA is to make sure that every man and woman in America has a safe place to work. OSHA inspectors work with companies to find weaknesses in their safety plan, with suggestions for improvement. When businesses do their part to stay up-to-date with the latest OSHA Safety manual, everyone benefits, including employers and employees (Charles, 1999).
The Health Promotion Issue
The NIOSH and OSHA approach to workplace violence illustrates a public health approach to a workplace health issue. The OSHA approach is typical in that it emphasizes keeping records of workplace violence incidents, the causes, and any corrective actions.
Unfortunately, many organizations may not take the need for programs to prevent workplace violence seriously. Meyer and Rowan (1977) describe the "institutionalization perspective," in which organizations adopt practices that are institutionalized by society, regardless of their immediate efficacy. In short, they adopt programs as a form of lip service to social values.
Further, there may be a tendency for organizations to view OSHA guidelines as a compliance burden rather than a prescription for good health management. Although compliance is important, it tends to represent a cost of doing business rather than an investment that strengthens the business or enterprise. As organizations strain for ways to cut costs, health promotion and wellness may become a prime target for restructuring and downsizing. Because such a......
