Which agency is responsible for overseeing employee safety?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the agency responsible for overseeing employee safety. Established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA’s primary mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. OSHA conducts inspections, issues citations, and can impose penalties for non-compliance with safety regulations in various workplace environments.

In contrast, the Department of Health and Human Services primarily focuses on public health and welfare rather than workplace safety specifically. The National Institute for Employee Health does not exist as a federal agency and is not involved with workplace safety oversight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on public health and safety, including disease prevention and control efforts, but it does not specifically oversee workplace safety in the same regulatory capacity as OSHA. Therefore, OSHA is the correct answer because it is the designated authority for implementing and enforcing safety standards in the workplace.