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OSHA is a part of the United States Department of Labor and is overseen by the Secretary of Labor. The chief administrator of OSHA is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, who is supported by a Chief of Staff and several Senior Advisors. The Assistant Secretary oversees two Deputy Assistant Secretaries who supervises various directors and administrators. The full organization chart can be found on the OSHA website.

The primary responsibility of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is "...to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance." The mission is to improve the safety and health of workers in all industries.

As a part of the United States Department of Labor, OSHA receives its funding/budget from the federal government. As a federal agency, OSHA is similar to other federal agencies such as FEMA in that it approaches health and safety from a broader perspective by setting standards, enforcing compliance, and promoting education and awareness.

OSHA has set numerous occupational standards affecting almost every industry. In addition, OSHA conducts inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards. Failure to adhere to established standards could open up an organization to potential lawsuits and punitive actions.