What kinds of workplaces does OSHA target to do its job?

When someone asks, “What kinds of workplaces does OSHA target to do its job?” they’re really asking: In which workplaces does OSHA focus inspections, enforcement, and oversight? Understanding OSHA’s targeting helps employers, safety professionals, and workers anticipate where risks are greatest and where regulatory attention is likeliest.

In this article, you will get a clear, current, and insight-driven view of how OSHA picks workplaces, what sectors are most under scrutiny, why some workplaces are more likely to be inspected, and how employers can stay ahead.

Why OSHA targets certain workplaces: Mandate and Strategy

Before diving into sectors and workplace types, it is helpful to understand why OSHA targets particular workplaces and how this aligns with its legal foundation and strategic priorities.

• Legal foundation: Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA has the authority to promulgate safety and health standards and to inspect workplaces to enforce those standards. Employers are required to maintain a workplace “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” (The “General Duty Clause” 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1))

• Strategic priorities: Due to OSHA’s limited resources, it cannot inspect every workplace. Instead, OSHA emphasizes targeted inspections (programmed), emphasis programs, and high-priority incident responses (unprogrammed).

• Data-driven approach: OSHA increasingly relies on employer injury and illness data (e.g., via OSHA Form 300A) to identify establishments with elevated rates or upward trends of injuries and illnesses.

• Enforcement precaution: Workplaces that have prior violations, serious hazards, or repeat noncompliance often draw special focus under OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP).

• Voluntary programs and exemptions: Some workplaces enrolled in cooperative safety programs (e.g., Voluntary Protection Program, VPP) may be exempt or deferred from certain programmed inspections.

With that background, let’s explore which types of workplaces OSHA is most likely to target.

Broad categories: OSHA’s Domain of Coverage

OSHA’s statutory scope and enforcement divide the U.S. workplace landscape into several categories. Some are more often the subject of OSHA action than others.

1. General Industry (Non-construction, Non-maritime, Non-agriculture)

This is the broadest domain. It includes most private sector workplaces that don’t fall under construction, maritime (shipping, docks, vessels), or agriculture (in many cases). Examples: manufacturing plants, warehouses, machine shops, retail operations, food processing, healthcare facilities (nonmaritime), laboratories, offices with chemical processes, etc.

For the general industry, OSHA runs programmed inspections via its Site-Specific Targeting (SST) program, which currently (as of May 2025) uses employer-submitted injury/illness data (2021–2023) to flag establishments with high or upward-trending DART rates, failure to submit data, or data anomalies.

Also, OSHA operates National Emphasis Programs (NEPs) that focus on particular hazards (e.g., lead, silica, combustible dust, amputations) which crosscut many general industry sectors.

2. Construction

Construction sites remain high on OSHA’s radar because of the historically elevated rates of injuries and fatalities in that sector (falls, structural collapses, electrical hazards, scaffolding, etc.). OSHA dedicates specific emphasis programs, regulatory standards (e.g., fall protection, scaffolding, excavation), and frequent inspection activity to construction.

Some programmed inspection initiatives may include construction, but many construction inspections arise from complaints, fatalities, or severe hazards.

3. Maritime (Shipyards, Marine Terminals, Longshoring)

Workplaces involving shipyards, marine terminals, and longshore operations are under OSHA’s jurisdiction and are recognized as hazardous environments. The presence of heavy machinery, cranes, cargo handling, and marine vessel operations attracts regulatory attention. These workplaces are part of OSHA’s standard regulatory domain.

4. Federal, State, and Local Government Workplaces

In jurisdictions without state plans, OSHA has jurisdiction over federal government workplaces (federal agencies). OSHA can inspect federal facilities and issue “virtual fines” (i.e., press releases) because OSHA cannot impose monetary penalties against federal agencies.

Additionally, many states operate their own OSHA-approved State Plans. In those states, state OSHA agencies enforce safety in private and/or public sector workplaces under state laws equivalent to or stricter than federal OSHA.

5. Agriculture, Mining, Energy, and Other Specialized Sectors

Some workplaces are regulated not by OSHA but by other federal agencies:

• Mining is regulated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), not OSHA.

• Energy, nuclear, and certain large chemical plants may fall under the oversight of agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or the Environmental Protection Agency (especially for environmental hazards).

• Agriculture may be partially exempt (especially small family farms). OSHA’s jurisdiction in agriculture is more limited, especially for very small farms or immediate family employment.

Read Also: OSHA Inspection Survival Guide: What U.S. Construction Companies Should Expect in 2026

Thus, many workplaces in the U.S. fall under the umbrella of OSHA (directly or via state plans), but the likelihood of inspection depends heavily on hazard profile, injury data, size, and sector.

High-priority inspection triggers: When OSHA comes knocking

Beyond general categorization, OSHA uses priorities to decide which workplaces to inspect, even if they belong in broader domains. Key triggers include:

1. Imminent danger situations: Situations posing a high risk of death or serious harm are OSHA’s highest priority. These must be addressed immediately.

2. Fatalities/catastrophes: Any work-related death or hospitalization of three or more employees generally mandates OSHA investigation (within certain hours).

3. Worker complaints/referrals: Employees can file complaints (often confidentially) alleging unsafe conditions. OSHA will prioritize those.

4. Targeted (programmed) inspections based on hazard or industry emphasis: OSHA selects workplaces proactively based on hazard patterns or industry risk.

5. Follow-up inspections: To check whether previously cited violations have been corrected.

In fiscal year 2024, OSHA conducted 34,625 total inspections, split roughly equally between programmed and unprogrammed inspections (17,170 vs. 17,455). This shows a balance between reactive and proactive enforcement.

Spotlight on sectors: Which workplaces draw disproportionate OSHA attention

To give you more actionable insight, here are some sectors currently seen as higher risk and more frequently inspected:

Warehousing, Distribution, Logistics

With the rise of e-commerce, distribution centers and warehouses have proliferated. These operations often involve heavy material movement, forklift traffic, pallet stacking, loading docks, repetitive motions, and sometimes chemical exposures. OSHA’s updated SST guidance (2025) anticipates increased inspections in highly regulated sectors like warehousing, transportation, and distribution.

Warehousing is also a focus in some Emphasis Programs (e.g., with respect to struck-by hazards or material handling).

Manufacturing (Including Machinery, Metal, Food, Chemical)

Manufacturing workplaces involve many recognizable hazards: machinery, moving parts, energy control (lockout/tagout), chemical exposures, noise, repetitive stress, heavy lifting, and more. OSHA continues to run a National Emphasis Program on Amputations in Manufacturing, renewed in 2025, specifically targeting machine guarding, energy control, and preventive maintenance.

Manufacturing also often meets the criteria in SST selection (i.e., higher injury or illness rates) and thus becomes a regular target for inspections.

Healthcare, Nursing Homes, and Social Assistance

Healthcare and social assistance are often cited as high-injury or high-illness sectors (e.g., due to repetitive strain, slips, patient-handling injuries, chemical exposures) and thus are common targets for OSHA inspections via emphasis programs.

Construction (Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure)

Construction remains persistently high on OSHA’s radar. Falls, scaffolding collapse, trenching, electrical hazards, and structural risks are frequent causes of injuries. Construction sites may be inspected programmatically (via emphasis programs) or reactively via complaints and incidents.

Chemical and Process Industries

Facilities that use hazardous chemicals or engage in process safety operations (e.g., refineries, chemical plants, manufacturing with reactive materials) are frequently targeted due to the catastrophic potential of chemical releases, fires, or explosions. OSHA runs emphasis and process safety programs aligned with EPA’s programs (e.g., Risk Management Program) to monitor such workplaces.

Sites with Past Violations or SVEP Enrollment

Workplaces that have previously committed willful, repeated, or failure-to-abate violations may be placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP). These facilities are likely to receive follow-up inspections, higher scrutiny, and a broader scope.

High-Rise Structures, Tunnels, Excavation Projects, and Infrastructure Projects

Large-scale public works such as tunnels, bridges, highways, and comparable infrastructure projects often face complex hazards (height, transport, confined spaces, structural risk). These draw OSHA’s attention through various enforcement and emphasis programs.

Recent Evolution: What’s new in OSHA’s targeting (2025 and Forward)

To stay ahead, it’s essential to understand how OSHA’s approach is evolving in 2025. Several important developments reshape which workplaces get scrutinized:

1. Updated SST program (Directive CPL 02-01-067): As of May 20, 2025, OSHA introduced a revised SST targeting methodology for non-construction workplaces with 20+ employees. It now uses injury and illness data from 2021–2023, and includes criteria such as:

   • Elevated “Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred” (DART) rates in 2023

   • Upward-trending DART rates over 2021–2023 at levels above industry norms

   • Workplaces failing to submit required Form 300A data

   • Inclusion of some low-rate establishments for data validation

   This new directive will be in effect for two years (i.e., until 2027, unless replaced).

2. Increased inspection focus on warehousing, transportation, and distribution: Legal and industry analyses suggest that OSHA expects more inspections in warehousing, transportation, distribution, and healthcare as part of the updated SST paradigm.

3. Renewed emphasis on manufacturing amputations: OSHA’s renewed National Emphasis Program on amputations in manufacturing industries underscores that workplaces using machinery remain priority targets for inspection.

4. More granular inspection weighting (EII): In FY 2025, OSHA replaced its earlier inspection weighting system (OWS) with an Enforcement Impact Index (EII). The EII considers three criteria: resource intensity, alignment with emphasis program hazards, and contributions toward OSHA’s priority goals. This mechanism allows OSHA to further triage which inspections yield the greatest impact.

5. Greater transparency and higher penalties: OSHA continues to raise maximum penalties annually to keep pace with inflation. As of January 2025, the maximum fines for serious or other-than-serious violations are $16,550 (with even larger scales for willful or repeated violations).

These changes collectively accentuate how workplaces that (a) report rising injury trends, (b) belong to high-risk sectors, or (c) neglect required reporting are most likely to attract inspection.

Practical “Heat Map” Matrix: Which workplaces are most likely to be inspected?

Below is a conceptual “heat map” (qualitative) showing the likelihood of OSHA inspection, combining sector, size, hazard, and reporting profile:

This is a heuristic; actual inspections depend on OSHA’s data, complaint triggers, and emphasis program priorities.

Why Some “Low Risk” Workplaces still get Targeted and how to Anticipate them

One might think, “If my workplace is low risk, OSHA won’t bother inspecting.” But that’s not always true. Here’s a less-often-stated insight:

Data anomalies and non-reporting invite scrutiny

Because OSHA’s SST program uses reported injury/illness metrics, employers that submit little or no data or whose data appear disproportionately low relative to industry peers may attract scrutiny. OSHA intentionally includes a non-responder or low-rate sample in its SST lists to validate reporting integrity.

Thus, even if a workplace has few injuries, omission or underreporting can make it stand out. This encourages transparency and diligence rather than hiding behind low incidence.

Cross-sector hazard alignment

Certain hazards transcend traditional sector boundaries. For example, heat stress is relevant in indoor warehouses or unconditioned manufacturing buildings; OSHA is developing or proposing rules on heat exposure. Also, tasks like lockout/tagout, confined space operations, or chemical handling may occur in unexpected sectors (e.g., arts & crafts studios, water treatment, printing shops). Even a small business can draw attention if it shares hazards with larger industrial settings.

Unexpected “Nonproduction” Exposure

Facilities such as research labs, university facilities, or even agricultural processing sites may have “hidden” hazards (e.g., chemicals, compressed gases, ventilation, laser systems). OSHA doesn’t confine itself to production lines—if there’s a recognized hazard, it may inspect.

Thus, a mid-size lab building or university facility might be flagged under a chemical or hazardous materials emphasis program even though it’s not a factory.

What to Expect During an OSHA Inspection

If OSHA targets your workplace, compliance officers follow defined procedures. Here’s a simplified walkthrough:

1. Opening conference: The OSHA officer presents credentials, explains the purpose and scope, and invites employer and employee participation.

2. Walkaround: The inspector tours the premises, inspects areas of reported injuries or hazards, takes photos, measurements, interviews employees, and reviews records.

3. Record review: OSHA reviews injury logs (Form 300, 300A, 301), training documents, hazard assessments, and other relevant paperwork.

4. Closing conference: The inspector shares findings, discusses potential violations, and describes next steps. The employer can contest or provide additional information.

5. Citations / corrective action: If violations are identified, OSHA issues citations with required abatement deadlines. Some cases (e.g., severe violators) include mandatory follow-up inspections.

Understanding this process helps workplaces prepare mentally and procedurally.

How Workplaces can Reduce their risk of Being Inspected and be “Inspection-Resilient”

While you can’t prevent all inspections, you can reduce the likelihood or severity of negative outcomes by proactively managing safety:

1. Robust safety program and culture

   • Maintain active hazard assessment, training, PPE usage, engineering controls, and incident investigations

   • Encourage employee reporting and hazard detection

   • Document all safety actions meticulously

2. Accurate injury/illness reporting and transparency

   • Ensure that Form 300/300A/301 is submitted correctly and on time

   • Align injury coding with industry norms

   • Avoid underreporting — it can backfire

3. Focus on historically high-risk hazards

   • Machinery safety (guarding, lockout/tagout)

   • Fall protection (in elevated work)

   • Chemical exposures, respirables (e.g., silica, asbestos)

   • Heat stress, ergonomics, confined space

   • Maintain strong controls, training, and auditing

4. Engage in voluntary OSHA programs

   • Apply for Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), SHARP, or equivalent

   • Participation can earn inspection deferrals or priority status

   • It also signals to OSHA your commitment to safety

5. Pre-inspection readiness

   • Conduct internal mock inspections

   • Train managers and employees on how to respond to OSHA visits

   • Keep records readily accessible

6. Swift correction of any violations

   • If violations are identified (internally or externally), remedy quickly and document the correction

   • Formalize processes for escalation, root-cause analysis, and verification

Read Also: Workers’ Compensation: How Does It Work?

By following the above, workplaces reduce not just inspection risk, but also real injury cost and insurance exposure.

Summary and Key Takeaways

• What kinds of workplaces does OSHA target to do its job? It targets those workplaces with higher risks, elevated or growing injury and illness rates, known hazards, or prior noncompliance.

• OSHA’s jurisdiction covers most private sector workplaces, government workplaces (in non-state plan jurisdictions), and federal agencies. Some sectors (mining, certain energy, small family farms) fall under other agencies or are exempt.

• General industry, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, warehousing, and process facilities are among the most frequently inspected sectors.

• OSHA uses programmed inspections (notably Site-Specific Targeting), emphasis programs, and triggered inspections (fatalities, complaints, imminent danger) to decide where to inspect.

• The 2025 revamp of OSHA’s SST program and new enforcement weighting (EII) sharpen OSHA’s focus on workplaces with the worst injury trends and reporting anomalies.

• Even “low-risk” workplaces can draw attention if they underreport or share a hazard pattern with riskier industries.

• Workplaces that build strong safety systems, robust reporting discipline, and responsive corrective practices will reduce inspection risk and improve outcomes if inspected.