What is the primary purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration?

The primary purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is to enforce health and safety regulations in the workplace. OSHA's main objective is to ensure that employers provide a safe working environment for their employees and comply with established standards. This includes setting and enforcing standards related to workplace safety, conducting inspections, and providing training and education to employers and workers about safe practices.

By focusing on enforcement, OSHA plays a crucial role in reducing workplace injuries and illnesses, promoting safe work environments, and ensuring that all workers can perform their duties without undue risk to their health or safety. This mission is vital for maintaining the welfare of the workforce and contributes to overall productivity and morale within organizations.

The other options pertain to different regulatory or support functions that do not align with OSHA's core mission. For instance, the provision of financial assistance to small businesses, mediation of disputes between employees and employers, or administering unemployment benefits are functions of other agencies or organizations that address different aspects of labor and economic issues.