What organization regulates safety in the workplace?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the primary organization responsible for regulating safety in the workplace. Established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's mission is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for all workers by setting and enforcing standards, as well as providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

OSHA develops specific regulations that dictate safety practices and procedures in various industries, conducting inspections to enforce compliance. It empowers employers and employees to collaborate in establishing a safer work environment, aiming to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.

In contrast, while the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and recommends standards, it does not have enforcement power like OSHA. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) develops consensus standards but does not enforce workplace safety regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses on environmental protection and public health, which may overlap with workplace safety in certain areas, but its primary function is different from that of OSHA.