Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing safety and health legislation?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency designated to enforce safety and health legislation 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 workers by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

OSHA conducts inspections, enforces regulations, and responds to workplace incidents to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. This includes a wide array of industries, making it crucial in maintaining workplace safety.

Other agencies, while also important, have different focuses. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) primarily deals with environmental protection and regulates pollutants, while the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and makes recommendations but does not have enforcement authority. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) manages health-related policies and programs but does not enforce workplace safety and health legislation specifically.