§651 Congressional Statement of Findings and Declaration of Purpose and Policy

Summary

Congress says that injuries and illnesses from work cost the country a lot of money and harm business between the States by lowering production, cutting wages, raising medical bills, and increasing disability payments. Congress wants to make workplaces safe and healthy and protect workers. To do that, it uses its power over interstate and foreign commerce and the general welfare and takes steps like encouraging employers and workers to reduce hazards and improve safety programs; giving the Secretary of Labor power to set mandatory safety and health rules for businesses that affect interstate commerce and creating a Review Commission to handle disputes; supporting research and training on workplace safety and work-related diseases; setting medical criteria to prevent loss of health or life from work; developing and enforcing safety standards (including banning advance notice of inspections and punishing those who give notice); helping states run and improve their own programs with grants; improving reporting about workplace risks; and encouraging joint labor‑management efforts to cut injuries and disease.