Safety and Health

The fourth HR function deals directly with the welfare of all workers. Employers are required by law to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. This includes legislation enacted by OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Act) as well as the "Right To Know" laws. Beyond these and other federal statutes, employers need to be concerned with state laws as well as local codes and ordinances. Employers are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of their employees not only because laws dictate this, but more importantly, because it’s the right thing to do. Creating a positive work environment is not only considerate, it is also practical. Studies have shown that safe work environments reduce down time due to injuries and illnesses while also contributing to employee job satisfaction.