Document Yj06qgp5aR6n0QMBYBZQRLk9n

An Introduction ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING AN EFFECTIVE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM W ITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS, three major pieces of legislation have been enacted to establish and enforce a broad range of standards and regulations for occupational safety: 1) The Walsh-Healey Public Contacts Act. as amended May 17, 1969, is applicable to all companies having government contracts in ex cess of $10,000; 2) The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of Dec. 30, 1969 covers all coal mining oper ations; 3) The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which was signed by the President on Dec. 29, 1970 and becomes effective April 28, 1971, is applicable to all employers involved in interstate commerce--with the exception of mining, railroad, and government employees who are covered by other acts or provisions. The intent of each act, and the many satellite acts covering other specific industries, is unanimous and indisputable--"to provide a safe environment and safe working con ditions for all workers in all jobs." A very important aspect of this in tent is the requirement to control air contaminants (gases, vapors, and paniculate matter) to recom mended "safe" levels of exposure by means of effective engineering and administrative controls, or per- 8004 1217 SCF-ALLF-03390