What Is OSHA.gov?

Updated

OSHA.gov is the official website of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. federal agency responsible for workplace safety and health. If you are an employer, worker, safety professional, or researcher looking for authoritative U.S. workplace safety rules, training resources, or compliance help, this is the primary government source to use.

What OSHA Is and What the Site Covers

OSHA operates under the U.S. Department of Labor. Its core mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

The website functions as the agency's public information hub. Its main content areas include:

  • Regulations and standards – the workplace safety and health rules that covered employers must follow.
  • Compliance assistance – guidance to help employers understand and meet requirements.
  • Training and education – materials and program information for workers and employers.
  • Injury, illness, and fatality data – records employers are required to report and keep.
  • News, alerts, and special campaigns – including events such as Safe + Sound Week, which the site promotes with bilingual materials and activities.

Who Uses It and Why

User Typical reason to visit
Employers Check which standards apply and how to comply
Workers Understand rights and protections on the job
Safety and health professionals Find training, data, and technical guidance
Researchers, journalists, students Retrieve official rules, statistics, and agency statements

Why the Source Matters

Because OSHA.gov is a government site, the information there is the agency's own published material rather than a third-party summary. For questions about U.S. workplace safety requirements, that makes it the reference point to check first — and the place to confirm details before relying on any secondary source.