The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHAct), signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 29, 1970. Its mission is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by establishing and enforcing safety and health standards, by providing for research, information, educat...
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHAct), signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 29, 1970. Its mission is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by establishing and enforcing safety and health standards, by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health, and by assisting and encouraging the states in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions.
The OSH Act also created the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a research agency focusing on occupational health and safety. NIOSH, however, is not a part of the U.S. Department of Labor.
OSHA and its state partners have approximately 2100 inspectors, plus complaint discrimination investigators, engineers, physicians, educators, standards writers, and other technical and support personnel spread over more than 200 offices throughout the country. This staff establishes protective standards, enforces those standards, and reaches out to employers and employees through technical assistance and consultation programs.
Nearly every working man and woman in the nation comes under OSHA's jurisdiction (with some exceptions such as miners, transportation workers, many public employees, and the self-employed). Other users and recipients of OSHA services include: occupational safety and health professionals, the academic community, lawyers, journalists, and personnel of other government entities.
