Which agency governs workplace safety in a laboratory?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the agency responsible for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards. In a laboratory setting, OSHA’s guidelines focus on protecting employees from workplace hazards, including exposure to harmful chemicals, biological agents, and unsafe equipment practices. This agency conducts inspections and provides training resources to help improve safety protocols. The regulations that OSHA implements are crucial in minimizing workplace injuries, which is particularly important in environments like laboratories where specific hazards are prevalent.

The other agencies listed have different mandates. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses mainly on environmental protection and regulation, not specifically on workplace safety within labs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deals with food safety, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices but does not regulate workplace safety directly. The American Medical Association (AMA) is a professional organization that advocates for physicians and medical practices, rather than serving as a regulatory body for workplace safety. Therefore, OSHA is the correct agency for governing workplace safety in a laboratory setting.