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Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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OSHA ENFORCEMENT

Under the OSH Act, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace. OSHA's mission is to assure safe and healthful workplaces by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. This page contains information about OSHA's enforcement activities. If you have questions, need additional information, want to file a complaint, or would like to contact OSHA, please call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). You can also e-mail us your questions (e-mail OSHA). It's confidential. We are here to help.

OSHA inspector walking through utility tunnel

OSHA Jurisdiction:

  • Covers private sector employers
  • Excludes self-employed, family farm workers, and government workers (except in State Plan states)
  • Approves and monitors 28 State Plan states which cover private and public sector employees.
  • Assists Federal Agency Programs

OSHA Inspections:

  • Conducted without advance notice
  • On-site inspections, or Phone/Fax investigations
  • Highly-trained compliance officers

Inspection Priorities:

  • Imminent danger
  • Catastrophes / fatalities
  • Worker complaints and referrals
  • Targeted inspections - high injury/illness rates, severe violators
  • Follow-up inspections

EMERGENCIES & REPORTING

If you have an EMERGENCY, e.g., to report a fatality or imminent life-threatening situation, contact our toll-free number immediately (do not send email):

  • 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
  • TTY 1-877-889-5627

All employers under OSHA jurisdiction must REPORT to OSHA:

  • All work-related fatalities within 8 hours
  • All work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, and losses of an eye within 24 hours

Employers can REPORT fatalities and hospitalizations in one of 3 ways:

  • Call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
  • Call or visit the nearest area office during normal business hours
  • Go online to fill out an electronic form

QUICK LINKS

  • Enforcement Policies:

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    FEDERAL AGENCY PROGRAMS

    RESOURCES

    COMPLAINTS

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