Democracy in Action. U.S.A.

American democracy is based on the principle of majority rule. In a democratic legislative body, decisions are made by voting. In the U.S.,voting is not just a tool for selecting political leaders and passing laws. It is also a way of making decisions in the business world, in social groups , in schools, and even within the family. Americans believe that people should take a part in making the rules they must live by. American children are introduced to the ideas of majority rule and representative goverment at a early age. Many families hold weekly meetings to determine household rules and activities. Most schools have student councils whith elected representatives so that students can voice their opinions about school regulations and activites. In the adult word, all kinds of organizations (unions, religios groups, ect.)elect officers and make decisions by voting. In publicly owned companies, stockholders elect the directors.

Industrial Safety

Industrial safety is an area of safety engineering and public health that deals with the protection of workers' health, through control of the work environment to reduce or eliminate hazards. Industrial accidents and unsafe working conditions can result in temporary or permanent injury, illness, or even death. 

In the United States before 1900 the safety of workers was of little concern to employers. Only with the passage of the Workmen's Compensation Laws and related labor statutes (законы) between 1908 and 1948 did U.S. employers start to pay attention to industrial safety; making the work environment safer was less costly than paying compensation. A new national policy was established in 1970, when for the first time all industrial workers in businesses affected by interstate commerce were covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Under this act, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was given responsibility for conducting research on occupational health and safety standards, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was charged with setting and enforcing appropriate standards in industry.

Various external sources, such as chemical, biological, or physical hazards, can cause work-related injury. Hazards may also result from the interaction between worker and environment; these so-called ergonomic hazards can cause physiological or psychological stress.

Chemical hazards can arise from the presence of poisonous or irritating gas, mist, or dust in the workplace. Hazard elimination may require the use of alternative and less toxic materials, improved ventilation, leakage control, or protective clothing.

Biological hazards arise from bacteria or viruses transmitted by animals or unclean equipment. 

Common physical hazards include ambient heat, burns, noise, vibration, sudden pressure changes, radiation, and electric shock. Workers are required to wear protective equipment. 

If the physical, psychological, or environmental demands on workers exceed their capabilities, ergonomic hazards arise. This type of hazard frequently occurs in the area of materials handling, where workers must lift or carry heavy loads. 
In recent years engineers have attempted to develop a systems approach to industrial accident prevention. Because accidents arise from the interaction of workers and their work environments, both must be carefully examined to reduce the risk of injury. Injury can result from poor working conditions, the use of improperly designed equipment and tools, fatigue, distraction, lack of skill, and risk taking. The systems approach examines the following areas: all work locations to eliminate or control hazards, operating methods and practices, and the training of employees and supervisors. 
The systems approach also pays special attention to the capabilities and limitations of the working population. It recognizes large innodividual differences among people in their physical and physiological capabilities. The job and the worker, therefore, should be appropriately matched whenever possible.