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Introduction
The public sector consists of establishments of federal, state, and local government agencies that administer, oversee, and manage public programs and have executive, legislative, or judicial authority over other institutions within a given area.
These agencies also set policy, create laws, adjudicate civil and criminal legal cases, and provide for public safety and for national defense. In general, government establishments in the public sector oversee governmental programs and activities that are not performed by private establishments. Establishments in this sector typically are engaged in the organization and financing of the production of public goods and services, most of which are provided for free or at prices that are not economically significant.
Scope
Regulatory oversight for private sector employers comes from various agencies.
The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act exists to "assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health; and for other purposes."
State and local governments oversee their own state workplace health and safety plans approved by the U.S. Department of Labor covering private and public sector employers. Each State Plan state agrees to provide an occupational safety and health program that is as effective as the Federal OSHA (enforcement) program for employees in the private sector.
Each Federal agency is responsible for providing safe and healthful working conditions for its employees. The OSH Act requires these agencies to comply with standards consistent with those OSHA issues for private sector employers. Federal agencies are required to have comprehensive safety and health programs, record and injury and illness data, train workers at all levels of the organization, and conduct inspections to ensure compliance.
Environmental concerns affect local governments and municipalities everywhere. As such, Federal facilities are also required to comply with various statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders (EO) administered by EPA. Environmental regulations range include but may not be limited to clean water, wastewater, storm water, hazardous waste cleanup, and toxic substances such as asbestos, lead, and silica.
Regulatory citations
- 29 CFR 1910—General Industry standards
- 29 CFR 1926—Construction Industry standards
- General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)
Key definitions
- None
Summary of requirements
OSHA requires employers:
- Provide and safe and healthy workplace for employees.
- Train workers on health and safety applicable to their jobs and work sites.