What is the primary purpose of OSHA?

The main purpose of OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is to ensure that workplace safety and health standards are met. This federal agency was established to create a safer working environment for employees across various industries by enforcing regulations and setting standards designed to minimize hazards and protect worker health. This includes overseeing compliance with safety regulations, conducting inspections, and implementing initiatives that promote safe working conditions.

While training employees on safe practices is an important component of workplace safety, the primary focus of OSHA itself is broader, encompassing the establishment and enforcement of regulations that govern safety and health standards. Investigating workplace accidents is also part of OSHA's responsibilities, but it serves as a means to achieve the overarching goal of promoting safety and health in the workplace. Ensuring productivity is beneficial, but it is not OSHA’s primary objective, as the main focus remains on safeguarding the health and well-being of employees through compliance and regulation.