Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations in the workplace?

The employer holds the primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations in the workplace. This obligation comes from the duty to provide a safe and healthful working environment for all employees. Employers are required to understand and implement OSHA standards relevant to their industry, assess workplace hazards, and take appropriate measures to mitigate risks. This includes conducting regular safety audits, providing necessary training, and maintaining accurate records of safety practices and incidents.

While safety officers play a role in enforcing safety protocols and ensuring that OSHA regulations are followed, they do so under the direction of the employer, who ultimately holds the legal responsibility. Each individual employee also has responsibilities to follow safety protocols and report hazards, but their duties do not replace or diminish the employer's overarching obligation to comply with OSHA regulations. OSHA inspectors enforce compliance through inspections and can cite employers for violations, but they do not hold responsibility for compliance; that falls to the employer. Thus, the employer's responsibility is fundamental to maintaining a safe workplace in accordance with OSHA guidelines.