How often does OSHA conduct inspections of workplaces?

OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, conducts inspections primarily based on a variety of factors, including the nature of the workplace, reports of hazards, and complaints from employees or other stakeholders. The agency aims to address the most pressing safety issues by prioritizing inspections in response to specific concerns. This means that inspections can be somewhat random and are not predetermined on a fixed schedule like monthly or annual inspections. Instead, they rely on input that indicates when and where safety checks are needed most urgently, allowing for a more targeted and effective approach to workplace safety. Factors such as workplace fatalities, serious injuries, or complaints filed by employees can significantly influence the frequency and timing of OSHA inspections.

Other choices suggest a more systematic or limited approach to inspections, which does not accurately capture OSHA’s strategy. For example, conducting monthly inspections for all workplaces would be impractical given the vast number of compliance requirements across diverse industries. Annual inspections without consideration of specific hazards would also lack efficiency, while only inspecting after an incident would not promote proactive safety measures.