Which act passed by Congress in 1970 sets safety standards for employers and imposes penalties for violations?

• A. National Labor Relations Act
• B. Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
• C. Wagner Act
• D. Fair Labor Standards Act

Answer: (B)

The main concept here is a federal statute that creates a system for workplace safety standards and enforces penalties for noncompliance. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established OSHA to set and enforce safety and health standards, conduct inspections, issue citations, and levy penalties to ensure safe working conditions. It also created NIOSH for research and standards development and includes the general duty clause requiring employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. The act covers most private-sector employers and many public-sector workplaces, and it involves recordkeeping, incident reporting, and enforcement tools to encourage compliance. The other acts mentioned deal with different workplace issues—one focuses on labor relations and union rights, and the other on minimum wage and overtime—so they do not carry the same focus on safety standards and penalties.