The effects of the enforcement legislation in the Finnish occupational safety and health inspectorate

► The aim of the study was to explore the effects that the Enforcement Act has on OSH enforcement. ► Two hundred twenty-nine inspectors responded to the on-line questionnaire; the final response rate was 71%. ► The evaluations of the present situation of OSH enforcement identified three factors. ► The evaluations of the improvements of the effectiveness of OSH enforcement found five factors. ► Harmonizing the enforcement practices should be applied between OSH inspectorates and between OSH inspectors.