Which entity is authorized to make inspections under OSHA?

The correct answer is that OSHA itself is the entity authorized to make inspections under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA is a federal agency responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for employees by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

Inspections are a critical part of OSHA’s mission; they allow inspectors to evaluate workplace conditions to determine compliance with safety regulations. These inspections can be triggered by employee complaints, reported accidents, or based on a targeted inspection program focusing on high-hazard industries or specific hazards.

While employers and employees have roles in promoting workplace safety, neither can conduct official inspections in the way OSHA does. Employers are responsible for adhering to safety regulations, while employees can report unsafe conditions or practices, but they do not have the authority to directly enforce compliance through inspections. State agencies can have their own safety and health plans that may involve inspections, but these operate under OSHA-approved programs, which means the authority ultimately lies with OSHA.