Final answer:
OSHA inspectors routinely conduct unannounced inspections to enforce safety regulations, prioritizing imminent dangers, catastrophic events, worker complaints, targeted hazards, and follow-ups.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are responsible for conducting unannounced inspections in workplaces. These inspections play a crucial role in OSHA's enforcement program to minimize workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Such inspections are performed by trained compliance officers and do not require advance notice. They are organized based on a priority system, starting with circumstances that pose an imminent danger to workers, followed by investigating severe events like fatalities or large numbers of hospitalizations. Inspections are also prioritized when there are worker complaints or referrals, when there's a need to focus on specific hazards or where there are high rates of injuries, and finally, follow-up inspections are carried out to ensure compliance with safety regulations.