What organization is tasked with protecting workers from health and safety risks?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the organization specifically established to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees by enforcing workplace safety standards and regulations. OSHA provides guidelines, conducts inspections, and can issue penalties for violations of safety practices to protect workers from health and safety risks.

While the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and makes recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness, it does not have enforcement authority like OSHA. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) primarily focuses on public health and disease prevention across the population rather than solely on workplace safety. The Department of Labor oversees many aspects of labor and employment, including regulations related to wages, but OSHA is the dedicated body for occupational safety and health. Therefore, OSHA is the correct answer to the question regarding which organization is tasked specifically with protecting workers from health and safety risks.