The acronym OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is a federal agency under the United States Department of Labor. Its main purpose is to establish and enforce safety standards in order to promote healthy, safe, and productive work environments throughout the country. OSHA was created as a result of the Occupational Safety and Health Act that was passed by congress in 1970. It now applies to the majority of private sector employers and employees, as well as many public sector employers and employees in all 50 states and certain U.S. territories and jurisdictions.