Enforcement activity reflects the authority vested in OSHA by Congress to enforce Federal workplace standards issued under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act). To ensure compliance with OSHA standards, reduce workplace hazards, and prevent fatalities, the agency conducts inspections of worksites and facilities, assesses penalties, and requires abatement of hazards when violations are identified. OSHA utilizes a mix of unprogrammed inspections (e.g., investigating complaints, including claims of imminent danger, and serious accidents involving fatalities, amputations, and in-patient hospitalizations) and programmed inspections (proactive approaches to specific workplace hazards or high-hazard workplaces identified by analyzing injury/illness data and emerging threats).

OSHA’s enforcement strategies include targeting inspections at workplaces with particular hazards or at specific hazardous industries.