CSLB Contractor's Law & Business Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of DOSH investigations?

1. To recover fines for contractors

2. To ensure compliance with health and safety standards

3. To assist companies in writing safety protocols

4. To document worker injuries annually

The correct answer is: To ensure compliance with health and safety standards

The primary purpose of DOSH (Division of Occupational Safety and Health) investigations is to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. This involves assessing workplace conditions to verify that employers are adhering to regulations designed to protect workers from hazards. DOSH’s role is to promote workplace safety through inspections and investigations, thereby reducing workplace injuries and illnesses. While assisting companies in writing safety protocols is certainly beneficial and part of the broader goal of promoting workplace safety, the main function is not to directly provide assistance but to enforce compliance with established safety standards. Similarly, recovering fines serves as a consequence of non-compliance rather than a primary objective. Documenting worker injuries annually is more about tracking and reporting than it is about ensuring compliance in real-time, which is more aligned with the purpose of investigations. The focus on compliance directly contributes to creating safer work environments, fulfilling the core mission of DOSH.