In order to do something about the high numbers of job-related injuries and deaths to workers, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 which created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

OSHA's main goal is to send every worker home whole and healthy every day. Initially OSHA's use of strong enforcement of regulatory standards and the establishment of Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) with employers reduced worker deaths from 14,000 per year in the early 1970's to 6,000 per year in the early 1990's.

In order to further this success, OSHA has established the Office of Training and Education to train and educate employees and employers in the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of unsafe and unhealthful working condition.

To meet the increasing demand for health and safety training and education within the private sector and among other government agencies, OSHA has authorized instructors at NATEC of Texas and other outreach trainers to teach selected courses.

The OSHA 10 and 30 hour General Industry Outreach Training Programs are designed to give workers and supervisors basic knowledge about safety and health hazards they are likely to encounter at their particular jobsite.

The employees can then use this knowledge to continue to reduce the number of job-related injuries or deaths to themselves and their co-workers.