what does osha do 
the occupational safety and health administration osha acts as the enforcement arm of the occupational safety and health act although the legislation gave osha the authority to create industry specific guidelines it also outlined a general duty clause which applies to all employers in all industries this clause officially section 5 a 1 of the act in effect serves as osha s mandate stipulating that employers must provide a safe environment for their workers the general duty clause of the osh act officially reads each employer 1 shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees 2 shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this act 