The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was established as an agency of the federal government charged with protecting workers from recognized safety hazards in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was created following the passage of the "Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 in response to unsafe working conditions across the country and as a culmination of decades of reform” (Walter, 2011, para. 5). President Richard Nixon signed the law on December 29, 1970, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was officially established on April 28, 1971 (Walter, 2011). During its 41 years of work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has identified and addressed numerous occupational hazards, as well as proposed solutions to mitigate and/or avoid placing workers in unnecessary danger. OSHA regulates and enforces regulations nationwide, but the agency states that "states may operate their own safety and health programs as long as those programs are at least as effective as the federal program" (http:/ /www.dol.gov/compliance/lois/comp-osha.htm). States that choose to implement their own version of the occupational safety and health plan are called OSHA states, while those that do not implement any plan are required to follow federal regulations set forth by OSHA. OSHA affects all workers and employers in the United States because the desired effect of the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act is "to provide as much as possible to all workers and women the nation's safe and healthy working conditions and to preserve our human resources” (Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1970). OS...... middle of paper ... fire departments nationwide, providing increased levels of safety for firefighters and the citizens they are sworn to protect. The Respiratory Protection Standard has also provided a benefit that many may not have recognized, nor can it be adequately measured. However, many firefighters are now retiring in good health and living longer and with a better quality of life after retirement due to the health benefits provided to them through the implementation of the Respiratory Protection Standard . Respiratory protection standard. References Dalbey, S. (August 1, 1999). A new look at two-in-two-out. Fire Chief. Retrieved from http://firechief.com/mag/firefighting_fresh_look_twointwooutWalter, L. (2011). Four Decades of OSHA: A Timeline. Retrieved from http://ehstoday.com/standards/osha/four-decades-osha-timeline-0427/Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 CFR § 1975.3 et seq. (Author 1970).