Based on your overview of OSHA and EPA functions it is evident that both agencies have the statutory responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of the American public and workforce by implementing regulations and enforcing a number of federal laws. It is clear that both agencies have separate and distinct responsibilities but in some roles, their functions are complementary.
The EPA deals with pollution activities that pose a threat to public health and safety, with a major focus on water and air pollution. As outlined in its mission statement, the EPA strives to protect of all Americans from significant health and environmental risks in the places where they work, learn or live. The EPA also issues numerous regulations which it enforces via inspections, investigations and in some case, legal action. EPA regulations are universal and apply to all businesses with no exceptions whatsoever. In this case, I believe that OSHA and the EPA have complementary roles and must continue working together to maximize efforts in protecting public and employee health and safety as well as protecting the environment (Scannell & Strock, 1991).
References:
Fairfax, R. (2007). Standard Interpretations - Small farming operations and exemption from OSHA enforcement activity under CPL 02-00-051.. Osha.gov. Retrieved 15 March 2016, from https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25803
Scannell, G., & Strock, J. (1991). Memorandums of Understanding - Working Relationships between OSHA and EPA.. Osha.gov. Retrieved 15 March 2016, from https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=MOU&p_id=238
In response, your explanation of OSHA and EPA functions tend to poise OSHA as more focused on workplace safety practices and standards. From your explanation, it does seem as that the EPA is not very specific in addressing workplace safety concerns beyond activities such as proper waste management where employees require training on handling and responding to hazards, and dealing with chemical waste. In this case, the roles of the EPA and OSHA are complementary. On one hand, OSHA deals with workplace safety to ensure the workplace environment does not cause illnesses or injuries, and while the EPA does not deal directly with worker safety, it does address the use of chemicals that might impact worker safety and pollute the environment. For example, in a restaurant workplace, OSHA would oversee that workers work for the recommended hours/shift, and have the right safety gear and protection from burns and cuts from kitchen tools and machinery e.g. food shredders and cutters (L&I, 2016, OSHA, 2016). On the other hand, the EPA would deal with issues such as garbage disposal, ensuring that proper chemicals are used in refrigeration equipment, waste disposal and the purchase and disposal of cleaning chemicals and cooking oils (EPA, 2007). Based on these well-outlined roles, it is clear that OSHA and EPA responsibilities have safety components that make it difficult for one agency to exist without the other.
References:
EPA,. (2016). National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) - Pretreatment Standards and Requirements. https://www.epa.gov/. Retrieved 15 March 2016, from https://www.epa.gov/npdes/pretreatment-standards-and-requirements#genproh
L&I,. (2016). Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Restaurant Safety Materials. Lni.wa.gov. Retrieved 15 March 2016, from http://www.lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/TeenWorkers/JobSafety/RestaurantProgram/Resources/
OSHA,. (2016). Safety and Health Topics | Restaurant Safety for Young Workers. Osha.gov. Retrieved 15 March 2016, from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/restaurant/index.html
