Review of: FRED BLOSSER, PRIMER ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH. (The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. 1992) [374 pp.] Appendices (e.g., forms, OSHA Inspection Procedures, OSHA/EPA Memorandum of Understanding, statute), glossary, index, preface, table of cases. LC 91-43769; ISBN 0-87179-741-0. [$46.00 paper. 1250 23d Street, NW, Ste. 300B; Washington DC 20037.

Rothenberger, Scott D.

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RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)Volume 4Number 3 RISK: Issues in Health & Safety Article 7June 1993Book ReviewScott D. RothenbergerFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/riskPart of the Business Commons, Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Commons, and theWorkers' Compensation Law CommonsThis Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the University of New Hampshire – School of Law at University of New HampshireScholars' Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002) by an authorized editor of University ofNew Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information, please contact ellen.phillips@law.unh.edu.Repository CitationScott D. Rothenberger, Book Review , 4 RISK 263 (1993).Book ReviewsFRED BLOSSER, PRIMER ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY ANDHEALTH. (The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. 1992) [374 pp.]Appendices (e.g., forms, OSHA Inspection Procedures, OSHA/EPA Memorandum ofUnderstanding, statute), glossary, index, preface, table of cases. LC 91-43769; ISBN0-87179-741-0. [$46.00 paper. 1250 23d Street, NW, Ste. 300B; Washington DC20037.]In 136 pages Blosser's primer provides a comprehensive overviewof the Occupational Safety and Health Act (the Act) which createdseveral well-known federal agencies to oversee worker health andsafety: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), theOccupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), and theNational Institute for Occupational Safety (NIOSH). Most of the rest ofthe book (200 pages) is devoted to appendices as set forth above.Blosser's book begins with explanations of elementary concepts andthe basic structure of federal regulation. It then leads the reader throughpertinent aspects of the Act and regulations promulgated since itspassage. As one would expect from a primer, the book is geared towardpersons in the public and private sectors who may not need detailedknowledge of all regulatory issues concerning employee health andsafety but do require general knowledge, e.g., middle managers.Throughout, Blosser intermingles relevant historical references withthe names of key people who were instrumental in developing today'srules and regulations. He also reminds readers that these rules attempt tostrike a balance between the interests of employees and employers aswell as between the Federal and state governments who share authority.After a ten page overview, three chapters cover, respectively, OSHAstandards, record keeping requirements and enforcement. Here,inspection procedures and categories of violations are discussed - aswell as possible fines, settlement, and review by the OSHRC and thecourts. Also, with regard to record keeping, there is some discussion ofemployee privacy.4 RISK - Issues in Health & Safety 263 [Summer 1993]Chapter 5 discusses employees' protected activities, e.g.,complaining about unsafe working conditions, and employees' right notto be discriminated against for engaging in such activities. Chapters 6through 8 discuss, respectively, the relationship between state andfederal governments, including federal preemption; the obligations offederal agencies as employers with regard to employee safety; and theresearch programs of the NIOSH.The last chapter adds a nice touch by going "beyond OSHA" andhighlighting related programs under statutes governing mine, nuclearand aviation industries. It also briefly discusses several relevantenvironmental statutes. Although not detailed, this chapter generallycites prominent parts of statutes. It often also cites regulations andleading cases.This primer provides insight into the basic effects of federal andstate regulatory processes on worker health and safety. Blosser uses aneasily understood, structured approach to a myriad of laws andregulations governing employee health and safety. He is adept atcondensing complicated regulatory law into readable, concise languagethat can be understood by non-lawyers. People who need a place to startin learning about worker health and safety requirements would do wellto consider his book. As a former industrial research employee, I foundit both fascinating and informative.Scott D. Rothenbergertt Dr. Rothenberger has a B.S. (Chemistry), Albright College and Ph.D. (OrganicChemistry), University of New Hampshire. After several years in academic andindustrial research laboratories, he is a J.D. candidate at Franklin Pierce Law Center.

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