The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a regulatory agency of the United States government created to assure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. Its mission encompasses a wide range of workplace hazards, from preventing falls in construction to limiting exposure to hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.
During the Trump administration, there were concerns about the agency’s direction and priorities. While there wasn’t a complete elimination of the agency, the administration’s approach involved budgetary adjustments and a focus on deregulation. Budget cuts can impact the agency’s ability to conduct inspections, provide training, and enforce safety standards effectively. Deregulatory efforts can involve reviewing and potentially weakening existing safety regulations, which some argue could lead to increased workplace risks.