Which organization governs workplace safety standards?

The organization that governs workplace safety standards is OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This agency is part of the United States Department of Labor and is responsible for enforcing regulations and standards designed to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees. OSHA sets standards that employers must follow to minimize workplace hazards, conduct inspections, and impose penalties for non-compliance. Their primary goal is to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, making them a crucial entity in promoting occupational safety across various industries.

The other organizations mentioned, while also important in public health and safety, have different focuses. The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, is primarily concerned with environmental protection and regulating environmental hazards rather than direct workplace safety. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries and illnesses but does not enforce standards. The CDC, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is focused on public health and disease control rather than workplace safety specifically.