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.

Highlighted Standards

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart G, Occupational health and environmental control
  • 1910.94, Ventilation [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart H, Hazardous materials
  • 1910.107, Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page]
  • 1910.1000, Air contaminants
  • Table Z-1, Limits for air contaminants
  • 1910.1200, Hazard communication [related topic page]

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart C, Surface preparation and preservation
  • 1915.32, Toxic cleaning solvents
  • 1915.35, Painting
• 1915 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances
  • 1915.1000, Air contaminants

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart D, Occupational health and environmental controls
  • 1926.55, Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
    • Appendix A, Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
  • 1926.57, Ventilation

Standard Interpretations

• Flash point of cleaning solvents for spray finishing equipment. (1996, April 14) .
• Solvents classified as a combustible liquid on the basis of the MSDS. (1993, September 3).
• Search all available standard interpretations.