Which agency is responsible for enforcing workplace safety standards in the United States?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the agency specifically established to enforce workplace safety standards in the United States. OSHA was created under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, and its primary mission is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards as well as providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. This agency conducts inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with these safety regulations and takes regulatory action against organizations that do not meet safety standards.

The other agencies mentioned, while they play important roles in related areas, do not enforce workplace safety standards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses on environmental protection and regulating pollution, while the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is dedicated to research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness but does not have enforcement power. The Department of Labor (DOL) oversees a broader range of labor issues, including wage and hour laws, but it is OSHA that specifically handles workplace safety enforcement.