Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".
 

Note: Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

• 1910 Subpart P, Hand and portable powered tools and other hand-held equipment
  • 1910.241, Definitions
  • 1910.242, Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general
  • 1910.243, Guarding of portable powered tools
  • 1910.244, Other portable tools and equipment
• 1910 Subpart R, Special industries
  • 1910.266, Logging operations [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart T, Commercial diving operations [related topic page]
  • 1910.422, Procedures during dive

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart H, Tools and related equipment
• 1915.131, General precautions
• 1915.132, Portable electric tools
• 1915.133, Hand tools
• 1915.134, Abrasive wheels
• 1915.135, Powder actuated fastening tools
• 1915.136, Internal combustion engines, other than ship's equipment

Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917)

• 1917 Subpart C, Cargo handling gear and equipment
  • 1917.51, Hand tools

Longshoring (29 CFR 1918)

• 1918 Subpart G, Cargo handling gear and equipment other than ship's gear
  • 1918.69, Tools

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart I, Tools - hand and power
  • 1926.300, General requirements
  • 1926.301, Hand tools
  • 1926.302, Power-operated hand tools
  • 1926.303, Abrasive wheels and tools
  • 1926.304, Woodworking tools
  • 1926.305, Jacks-lever and ratchet, screw, and hydraulic
  • 1926.306, Air receivers
  • 1926.307, Mechanical power-transmission apparatus

• Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance. CPL 02-01-019 [CPL 2-1.19], (1995, March 17). Contains inspection and compliance information for hand and portable powered tools used in logging operations.
• Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance Including Twelve Previously Stayed Provisions. CPL 02-01-022 [CPL 2-1.22], (1996, September 27). Clarifies enforcement policies for the logging operations standard (29 CFR 1910.266), including paragraph (e) "Hand and portable power tools".
• Explosive Actuated Fastening Tools. STD 01-13-002 [STD 1-13.2A], (1985, December 9). Provides specific interpretation as to when magazine-fed, explosive power operated hand tools are considered "loaded".
• 29 CFR 1910.401-1910.441, Subpart T -- Commercial Diving Operations. STD 01-17-001 [STD 1-23.2], (1978, October 30). Includes guidelines for 29 CFR 1910.422, paragraph (f), "hand-held power tools and equipment".
• Search all available directives.

• D'AX wheels are to be guarded as cutting saws. (1998, June 22).
• Use of insulated hand tools. (1996, July 30).
• Letter requesting interpretation of the OSHA electrical standards as they apply to employees using insulated hand tools. (1996, May 20).
• The Canadian Standards Association, a nationally recognized testing laboratory, marking and double insulated tools. (1995, September 1).
• Certification of manufactured products intended for use in the workplace. (1994, December 14).
• All electric tools need to be tested by a qualified national testing laboratory and be listed and labeled. (1994, January 28).
• Use of general protective equipment and tools by employees when working near exposed energized conductors or circuit parts in the workplace. (1991, December 27).
• Marking recognition, regulations and policy of double insulated power tools. (1985, November 8).
• Applicability of 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) to Portable Pneumatic Powered Fastener Tools. (1985, March 25).
• Clarification that a safety device to automatically cut off the flow of compressed air applies only to pneumatic power tools. (1983, June 6).
• Pneumatic tools must be designed and used in accordance with good engineering practices. (1982, April 8).
• Clarification of 1910.212 and 1910.242 as applying to hand-type office paper cutters and sharp edged hand tools. (1976, September 15).
• Search all available standard interpretations.