Which organization was established to assure that workers have the right to a safe workplace and that it is the employer's responsibility to provide safe and healthy workplaces?

• A. OSHA
• B. EPA
• C. FDA
• D. CDC

Answer: (A)

Workplace safety regulation is enforced by the organization created to ensure workers have the right to a safe workplace and to place the responsibility on employers to provide safe and healthy conditions. This is OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It was established to set and enforce safety standards, conduct workplace inspections, and require employers to train workers and correct hazards. When hazards are not addressed, OSHA can impose penalties or require corrective actions. The OSHA Act of 1970, administered by the Department of Labor, embodies this aim of protecting workers from recognized hazards on the job. The other agencies focus on different areas: environmental protection, regulation of foods and drugs, and disease prevention, rather than directly ensuring safe and healthy workplaces.