Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing workplace safety standards?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency entrusted with enforcing workplace safety standards. OSHA's primary mission is to ensure that employers provide a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. This includes setting and enforcing standards, providing training, outreach, education, and assistance to both employers and workers.

OSHA develops regulations that cover various aspects of workplace safety, including exposure to hazardous materials, safety protocols for machinery, and training requirements to ensure that workers are aware of potential dangers in their work environment. The agency also conducts inspections and can issue citations to employers who fail to comply with established safety standards.

This makes OSHA unique among the listed agencies, as each of the others has different regulatory focuses, such as environmental protection, criminal investigations, or food and drug safety. Understanding the specific roles of these agencies clarifies why OSHA is the correct choice for enforcing workplace safety standards.