Which governmental agency is responsible for safety and health regulations for U.S. employees?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the governmental agency specifically tasked with ensuring workplace safety and health regulations for employees in the United States. Established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's mission is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths by setting and enforcing standards, providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

OSHA conducts inspections, provides resources for safety practices, and mandates reporting of workplace incidents, all aimed at fostering a safer working environment. This focus on occupational health makes OSHA the principal entity responsible for implementing and overseeing employee safety regulations across various industries.

In contrast, while other agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) primarily deal with environmental protections, the Department of Labor (DOL) oversees workforce-related issues but does not specifically focus on safety, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on public health, rather than workplace safety. Thus, OSHA is clearly identified as the agency dedicated to the protection of workers' health and safety in the workplace.