The safety and health mandate of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is examined in reference to its effectiveness in reducing injuries and its consistency with the goal of promoting general welfare. Chapter 1 describes the essential features of the act and its administration to date, and analyzes the mandate as revealed by legislative intent and judicial decisions. Chapter 2 sketches a theory of social welfare and the conditions requiring the government to intervene in a market system to enhance this welfare. Chapters 3 and 4 discuss the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in terms of its decision on the noise standard, its enforcement program, and its success in reducing injuries. Alternative forms that a government program could take, and specific recommendations for change in the existing federal job safety and health program are offered in Chapter 5. Three appendices deal with technical aspects of the arguments developed in the chapters. (SH)