True or False: OSHA initially focused more on safety than health.

The assertion that OSHA initially focused more on safety than health is indeed correct. When the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established in 1970, its primary mission was to ensure safe working conditions by setting and enforcing standards, particularly in relation to physical hazards like machinery, chemicals, and workplace accidents. The early regulations largely concentrated on preventing accidents and injuries, which are components of workplace safety.

Health-related issues, such as exposure to toxic substances and long-term health risks, were addressed later as OSHA expanded its scope. Over the years, as awareness of occupational health hazards grew, OSHA began to place more emphasis on health regulations, developing standards that aimed to protect employees from both immediate dangers and chronic health risks. However, the initial emphasis was decidedly more on safety aspects, reflecting the immediate and visible nature of safety issues compared to long-term health concerns.