What are the primary priorities for OSHA inspections?

The primary priorities for OSHA inspections, as indicated by the correct choice, focus on immediate and significant risks to worker safety and health. Imminent danger refers to situations that pose a risk of death or serious physical harm, which requires urgent attention. Fatal accidents highlight cases where severe incidents have occurred, necessitating thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences. Employee complaints serve as direct inputs from workers regarding unsafe conditions or practices, making them crucial for identifying hazards that may not be evident during routine inspections.

Referrals from other agencies or organizations often signal potential safety issues, while planned inspections are scheduled visits based on certain criteria, such as historical data or targeted industries known for higher risks. Together, these factors encompass a comprehensive approach to ensuring workplace safety by addressing the most pressing concerns that could affect employees.

Other options do not align with OSHA's primary focus. For example, routine safety checks and surveys, while important, are not conducted as part of inspections; they are more administrative tasks. Employee training sessions, hazard assessments, compliance audits, and similar activities fall under programmatic efforts rather than immediate inspection priorities. Thus, option A accurately captures the essence of OSHA's inspection criteria by prioritizing the most critical and urgent safety issues.