What purpose does the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) serve?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is primarily responsible for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for employees by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. This involves developing guidelines and regulations that employers must follow to minimize workplace hazards, thereby protecting workers' rights and health.

OSHA's core mission is to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities through regulatory measures, inspections, and compliance assistance. Therefore, the role of implementing labor laws and guidelines is central to OSHA's function, aligning with its goal of creating safer working environments. This focus on health and safety standards distinguishes OSHA from other agencies which may focus on environmental or nuclear regulations.