Under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), workers have the right to a safe workplace. The OSH Act was passed to prevent workers from being killed or otherwise harmed at work. The law requires employers to provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers. The OSH Act is located in the United States Code at 29 U.S.C. §651, and the applicable regulations are located in the Code of Federal Regulations at 29 C.F.R. §1910.

The OSH Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards. OSHA also provides information, training, and assistance to employers and workers.

And most states have additional laws (statutes) that govern safety and health in the workplace.

In North Carolina, workplace safety is governed by both federal and state regulations. Under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), workers are entitled to a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious harm. This act, found in 29 U.S.C. §651, mandates that employers provide safe and healthy working conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), established by the OSH Act, is responsible for setting and enforcing safety standards, as well as offering training and assistance. North Carolina operates under a state-plan approved by OSHA, which means it has its own occupational safety and health program that must be at least as effective as the federal OSHA program. The North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health (NC OSH) division of the North Carolina Department of Labor is tasked with administering the state's workplace safety laws. Employers in North Carolina must comply with both federal OSHA regulations and any additional state-specific safety and health standards.