What is a key function of OSHA?

The key function of OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is to set standards for safe and healthy workplaces. OSHA's primary responsibility is to ensure that employers provide a work environment that is free from hazards, thereby protecting the health and safety of workers. This includes developing regulations and guidelines that specify the conditions employers must meet to maintain safety, such as permissible exposure limits to hazardous substances, requirements for personal protective equipment, and protocols for workplace safety training.

Setting these standards is essential in preventing workplace injuries and illnesses, creating a consistent framework that employers must follow to safeguard their employees. By establishing clear and enforceable standards, OSHA helps facilitate workers' rights to a safe workplace, promoting overall occupational health.

Other options, while relevant to the overall context of worker health and safety, do not directly align with OSHA’s primary statutory responsibilities. For example, while health risk assessments are important, they are often conducted by employers or health professionals rather than OSHA itself. Financial aid for injured workers falls under the realm of worker’s compensation programs, and mediation of disputes typically involves other avenues such as the National Labor Relations Board, rather than being a direct function of OSHA.