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.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page]
  • 1910.1001, Asbestos [related topic page]
  • 1910.1002, Coal tar pitch volatiles; interpretation of term [related topic page]
  • 1910.1003, 13 Carcinogens (4-Nitrobiphenyl, etc.) [related topic page]
  • 1910.1004, alpha-Naphthylamine
  • 1910.1006, Methyl chloromethyl ether
  • 1910.1007, 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine (and its salts)
  • 1910.1008, bis-Chloromethyl ether
  • 1910.1009, beta-Naphthylamine
  • 1910.1010, Benzidine
  • 1910.1011, 4-Aminodiphenyl
  • 1910.1012, Ethyleneimine
  • 1910.1013, beta-Propiolactone
  • 1910.1014, 2-Acetylaminofluorene
  • 1910.1015, 4-Dimethylaminoazobenzene
  • 1910.1016, N-Nitrosodimethylamine
  • 1910.1017, Vinyl chloride
  • 1910.1018, Inorganic arsenic [related topic page]
  • 1910.1025, Lead [related topic page]
  • 1910.1026, Chromium (VI) [related topic page]
  • 1910.1027, Cadmium [related topic page]
  • 1910.1028, Benzene [related topic page]
  • 1910.1029, Coke oven emissions
  • 1910.1043, Cotton dust [related topic page]
  • 1910.1044, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane
  • 1910.1045, Acrylonitrile
  • 1910.1047, Ethylene oxide [related topic page]
  • 1910.1048, Formaldehyde [related topic page]
  • 1910.1050, Methylenedianiline
  • 1910.1051, 1,3-Butadiene [related topic page]
  • 1910.1052, Methylene chloride [related topic page]

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances
  • 1915.1001, Asbestos

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances
  • 1926.1101, Asbestos
  • 1926.1127, Cadmium

• 1,3-Butadiene (1996)
• Air Contaminants (1989)
• Asbestos
  • Asbestos (1988 - Original)
  • Asbestos (1992 - Original)
  • Asbestos (1994 - Amended)
• Cadmium (1992)
• Formaldehyde (1992)
• Lead
  • Lead (1978)
  • Lead Exposure in Construction (1993)
• Methylene Chloride
• Methylendianiline (1992)
• Search all available preambles to final rules.

• Air Contaminants. Final Rules 58:35338-35351, (1993, June 30).
• Hexavalent Chromium. Final Rules 71:10099-10385, (2006, February 28).
• Methylene Chloride. Final Rules 63:50711-50732, (1998, September 22).
• Search all available Federal Registers.

• Requirement to disclose all chemicals having scientific evidence that they pose a health risk regardless of concentrations present in the product on the MSDS. (2005, April 4).
• Use of occupational exposure levels (OELs) for substances not covered by an OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). (2003, January 24).
• Enforcement Policy for Respiratory Hazards Not Covered by OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits. (2003, January 24).
• Calculation methods used under the air contaminants standard for extended work shifts. (1997, January 23).
• Request for a list of all OSHA-regulated air contaminants. (1995, March 22).
• Compliance and Enforcement Activities affected by the PELs Decision. (1993, August 5).
• Search all available standard interpretations.