Which government agency is responsible for regulating the approval of hard hats?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the government agency responsible for regulating workplace safety and health, which includes the approval of personal protective equipment such as hard hats. OSHA sets forth standards that ensure that hard hats meet safety specifications to protect workers from head injuries in various environments, particularly construction sites.

OSHA's regulations require that any hard hat used in the workplace conforms to certain performance criteria, which are outlined in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. This ensures that hard hats provide adequate protection against impacts and other hazards.

In contrast, the other agencies listed do not have a primary role in the regulation of personal protective equipment like hard hats. While the Environmental Protection Agency focuses on environmental regulation, the Department of Labor oversees labor standards and rights but does not directly regulate specific safety equipment. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and provides recommendations concerning occupational safety but is not the agency that regulates the approval of equipment in the same way OSHA does.