What is the primary role of OSHA compliance officers?

The primary role of OSHA compliance officers is to conduct inspections and enforce compliance with safety regulations set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These officers are responsible for ensuring that workplaces adhere to the established safety standards to protect employees from hazards. Through scheduled and unannounced inspections, they assess facilities for compliance, identify violations, and may issue citations or fines for non-compliance. This enforcement aspect is crucial for maintaining workplace safety and health standards and is a fundamental part of OSHA's mission to ensure safe working conditions.

While providing training on safety practices, managing workers' compensation claims, and developing safety programs are all important aspects of workplace safety and health, these tasks fall outside the primary enforcement duties assigned to compliance officers. The focus of compliance officers is on enforcing the regulations and ensuring that employers are held accountable for maintaining a safe work environment.