Which U.S. agency is responsible for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards?

• A. The Joint Commission
• B. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• C. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• D. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Answer: (C)

Understanding who sets and enforces workplace safety rules is key. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is the federal agency responsible for establishing safety and health standards and enforcing them to ensure safe working conditions. It writes regulations on workplace hazards, conducts inspections, issues penalties for violations, and provides training and compliance assistance so employers and workers know how to reduce risks. The other organizations serve different purposes: the Joint Commission accredits healthcare facilities, not general workplace safety standards; the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality funds and conducts research to improve care quality; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focuses on disease prevention and public health, not broad workplace safety enforcement. Thus, OSHA is the correct choice because of its explicit mandate to set and enforce safe and healthy working conditions.