The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an agency of the United States Department of Labor, uses a wordmark-style logo built around the acronym “OSHA” in capital letters. The mark combines the abbreviated name with a stylized “O” formed from overlapping circular shapes in black, blue, gray, and white, creating a layered, dimensional effect. The remaining letters appear in black with closely spaced, bracketed slab serif letterforms featuring high stroke contrast. The logo has been in continuous use since 1971, the year after President Richard Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act into law on December 29, 1970.[1]
Design and History
OSHA was created as an agency within the U.S. Department of Labor to assure safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance to employers and workers. The agency’s logo has remained essentially unchanged since its introduction in 1971, consisting of two primary elements: the abbreviated name and the stylized “O.”[1]
The stylized “O” is constructed from four overlapping circles that decrease in size. The bottom circle is black to match the rest of the lettering, while blue, gray, and white circles sit above it with a thin white outline, creating depth. The overlapping arrangement makes the circles appear as crescent shapes rather than full circles.[1]
The OSHA logo is the property of the United States Department of Labor, and Department policy only allows its use on OSHA and Departmental materials.[2] OSHA’s seals and logos are protected property of the federal government and may not be used without prior permission.[3]
The agency has actively defended its visual identity. In a 2023 federal court case, OSHA obtained a permanent injunction against Global OSHA, a safety consulting firm, barring it from using the OSHA trademarks, the word “OSHA,” or a “design aesthetic that is visually similar” to the OSHA marks. The government argued that the OSHA trademarks incorporate “a distinct stylized version of the term OSHA” and that the names and logo had acquired “incalculable fame, goodwill and value” through extensive use.[4]
Meaning and Symbolism
The colors in the OSHA logo were chosen to emphasize protection, safety, and regulatory oversight in the workplace. The black conveys a sense of authority and professionalism, while the blue creates a sense of trust. The gray stands for neutrality, balance, fairness, and impartiality, and the white represents honesty.[1]
Typography and Design
The OSHA wordmark uses a classic, bold font with bracketed slab serifs, combining strong strokes with contrasting thinner ones to create a formal, authoritative, and professional image. All characters are closely spaced, which creates a compact, strong mark.[1]
OSHA and OSHA Training Institute Education Centers are registered trademarks covering services provided to the public in the field of health and safety.[4] The trademark registration for the OSHA wordmark, filed in 2006, notes that color is not claimed as a feature of the mark.[5]
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