Which agency is responsible for developing and enforcing mandatory job safety and health standards?

The agency responsible for developing and enforcing mandatory job safety and health standards is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, commonly known as OSHA. Established in 1970 as part of the United States Department of Labor, OSHA's primary focus is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards. This includes conducting inspections, providing training, and offering guidance on best practices to prevent workplace hazards.

OSHA plays a crucial role in regulating workplace environments across various industries, making it a fundamental resource for safety officers and organizations tasked with maintaining employee health and safety. It is this regulatory function that makes OSHA the correct answer to the question about job safety and health standard enforcement.

While other agencies listed, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all contribute to aspects of workplace safety and health, they do not have the same authority as OSHA to enforce mandatory job safety standards. The EPA focuses on environmental protection, NIOSH is primarily involved in research and recommendations rather than enforcement, and the CDC addresses public health issues at a broader level, including workplace health but without direct enforcement capabilities.