Which statement best describes how OSHA enforcement can occur under the OSH Act?

• A. Direct federal OSHA only
• B. An OSHA-approved state program only
• C. Federal OSHA or an OSHA-approved state program
• D. Private sector safety consultants

Answer: (C)

OSHA enforcement operates through two parallel paths: Federal OSHA and OSHA-approved State Plans. The federal program enforces standards nationwide where there is no approved state program, and it also oversees federal workplaces. States with OSHA-approved plans run their own enforcement agencies and carry out inspections, citations, and penalties under OSHA standards, as long as their programs are at least as effective as the federal rules. In both pathways, enforcement authority lies with the government agencies, not with private consultants who can only advise. So enforcement can occur through Federal OSHA or an OSHA-approved state program, which is why that option best describes how enforcement works under the OSH Act.