On April 28, 2026, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) celebrated 55 years of success in significantly decreasing workplace injury and death rates. Since the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Act) went into effect on that same date, OSHA standards have become the leading force in preventing daily work-related accidents and deaths. In 1970, Americans experienced 38 work-related deaths per day. That number decreased to 15 work-related deaths per day in 2023.
Over the years, OSHA has developed standards to address workplace risks and hazards that commonly cause injuries and deaths. For instance, in 1992, OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standard went into effect in response to the increased risks of occupational exposure to communicable diseases such as Hepatitis B, HIV, and other bloodborne pathogens.
