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Definition of Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Occupational Safety and Health Administration: OSHA, an agency of the US government (under the Department of Labor) with the responsibility of ensuring safety at work and a healthful work environment.
OSHA's mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths. Since OSHA was created in 1971, occupational deaths in the US have declined by half and injuries by 40%. Nevertheless, 4,547 workers were killed on the job in 2010 (3.5 per 100,000 full–time equivalent workers) – more than 87 a week or more than 12 deaths every day. (This is a slight decline from the 4,551, fatal work injuries in 2009).