OSHA's third priority regarding inspections is what?

• A. Programmed inspections
• B. Complaints and referrals
• C. Imminent danger
• D. Fatalities

Answer: (B)

This item tests OSHA's inspection priority order. OSHA allocates resources to the most serious hazards first: imminent danger situations demand immediate action to prevent harm, and fatalities or catastrophe investigations follow to determine causes and prevent recurrence. After addressing those urgent cases, the next priority is complaints and referrals. When workers report hazards or outside parties refer potential hazards, OSHA investigates to verify conditions and ensure corrective action, even if the risk isn’t instantly life-threatening. Programmed inspections, which are planned routine checks, come after these priorities.

So, the third priority being complaints and referrals makes sense because it focuses on hazards reported by workers or received from referrals, ensuring known concerns are addressed promptly while still reserving resources for the most urgent risks.