The environmental law OSHA or Occupational Health and Safety Act is the overarching authority over workplace safety standards.  An incident that I was working with that this act came into play was the discovery of asbestos in the ceiling of a new ops floor that my squadron was supposed to move in.   Asbestos fibers can be breathed in causing a buildup of scar-like tissue in the lungs called asbestosis. This impairs lung function and can cause death or permanent disability. This is a well-known problem that has takes very little exposure to cause serious health issues. Abiding by OSHA is paramount to the safety of anyone working or even walking in a building with asbestos.  OSHA is for the public at large but also for the benefit of a business to not endure lawsuits.