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644 Understanding OSHA
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OSHA's Mission

Now that you know a little bit about why OSHA was created, let's talk about OSHA's mission. The mission of OSHA is to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

An OSHA enforcement officer prepares to inspect.

OSHA and its state partners have about 2,100 inspectors, plus complaint discrimination investigators, engineers, physicians, educators, standards writers, and other technical and support personnel spread over more than 200 offices throughout the country. This staff establishes protective standards, enforces those standards, and reaches out to employers and employees through technical assistance and consultation programs.

Some of the things OSHA does to carry out its mission are:

  • developing job safety and health standards and enforcing them through worksite inspections
  • providing training programs and educational materials to increase knowledge about occupational safety and health
  • providing on-site safety and health consultation services for small business
  • promoting the Safety and Health Achievement Program (SHARP) to recognized exemplary employers
  • offering cooperative programs under which employers work cooperatively with OSHA
  • partnering with employers under the OSHA Strategic Partnerships and Alliances (OSP) program
  • recognizing employers who have demonstrated excellence under the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-3. OSHA does NOT have a mandate to fulfill its mission by _____.