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 G, Occupational health and environmental control
  • 1910.94, Ventilation [related topic page]
  • 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart I, Personal protective equipment [related topic page] 
  • 1910 Subpart I Appendix B, Non-mandatory compliance guidelines for hazard assessment and personal protective equipment selection. Provides guidance on how to perform the hazard assessment mentioned in 29 CFR 1910.132.
• 1910 Subpart L, Fire protection [related topic page]
  • 1910.157, Portable fire extinguishers
• 1910 Subpart N, Materials handling and storage
  • 1910.179, Overhead and gantry cranes [related topic page]
  • 1910.184, Slings
• 1910 Subpart Q, Welding, cutting, and brazing
  • 1910.252, General requirements [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart R, Special industries
  • 1910.262, Textiles [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page]
  • Table Z-1, Limits for air contaminants
  • Table Z-2
  • 1910.1043, Cotton dust [related topic page]
    • Appendix A, Air sampling and analytical procedures for determining concentrations of cotton dust
    • Appendix B-I, Respiratory questionnaire
    • Appendix D, Pulmonary function standards for cotton dust standard
  • 1910.1045, Acrylonitrile
  • 1910.1050, Methylenedianiline
  • 1910.1051, 1,3-Butadiene [related topic page]
  • 1910.1052, Methylene chloride

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart D, Occupational health and environmental controls
  • 1926.60, Methylenedianiline

• Occupational Exposure to Cotton Dust. Notice 66:18191-18192, (2001, April 6). On December 7, 2000, OSHA issued a direct final rule amending its occupational health standard for cotton dust (29 CFR 1910.1043) to add cotton washed in a batch kier system to the other types of washed cotton that are partially exempt from the cotton dust standard (FR 65:76563-76567).
• Methylene Chloride; Final Rule. Final Rules 63:50711-50732, (1998, September 22). OSHA amended its standard regulating occupational exposure to methylene chloride (29 CFR 1910.1052). Specifically, it has added a provision for temporary medical removal protection benefits for employees who are removed or transferred to another job because of a medical determination that exposure to methylene chloride may aggravate or contribute to the employee's existing skin, heart, liver, or neurological disease.
• Occupational Exposure to 1,3-Butadiene. Final Rules 61:56746-56856, (1996, November 4). Amended the occupational standard that regulates employee exposure to 1,3-Butadiene (BD). 
• Occupational Exposure to 4,4' Methylenedianiline (MDA). Final Rules 57:35630, (1992, August 10). By this document, OSHA promulgated new standards regulating exposure to MDA. The basis for this action was a determination by the Assistant Secretary, based on animal and human data, that exposure to MDA at the current occupational exposure levels causes adverse effects on employee health including an increased risk of cancer.
• Response to Court Remand for Proposed Rule on Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde. Proposed Rules 56:32302, (1991, July 15). OSHA proposed amending its existing regulation for occupational exposure to formaldehyde, 29 CFR 1910.1048. The proposed amendments lower the permissible exposure level for formaldehyde from the existing level of 1 ppm (parts per million) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) to an 8- hour (TWA) of 0.75 ppm.
• Search all available Federal Registers.

• Enforcement Procedure for Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde. CPL 02-02-052 [CPL 2-2.52], (1990, November 20). Provides uniform inspection procedures and guidelines to be followed when conducting inspections and issuing citations for workers potentially exposed to formaldehyde.
• Cotton Dust Manual. CPL 02-02-031 [CPL 2-2.31], (1981, January 16). Provides guidelines for using the Cotton Dust Manual.
• Benzidine - Based Dyes: Direct Black 38, Direct Brown 95 and Direct Blue 6 Dyes. CPL 02-02-027 [CPL 2-2.27], (1980, February 22). Provides guidelines to follow when issuing citations under Section 5(a)(1) of the Act, and pertinent standards of a general nature, for employee exposure to Direct Black 38, Direct Brown 95 and Direct Blue 6 benzidine-based dyes.
• Search all available directives.

• Requirements for guarding points of operation and belts on heavy duty sewing machines. (1991, July 9).
• Regulations For Cotton Waste Operations. (1991, May 10).
• Sampling for benzidine congener dyes. (1991, January 18).
• Adjusting cotton dust permissible exposure limits (PELs) for extended work shifts. (1990, December 6).
• Formaldehyde Standard Clarification. (1989, February 21).
• Use of Walkman Radio, Tape, or CD Players and Their Effect When Hearing Protection Is In Use. (1987, April 14).
• Sample numbers and measurement duration for compliance to the cotton dust standard for a weaving operation. (1986, November 3).
• Tufting of undyed and unwashed cotton is not covered in the scope of the revised cotton standard of December 13, 1985. (1986, June 4).
• The cotton dust standard applies to the elastic fabric industry. (1986, April 16).
• National Policy on Guarding Roving Frames. (1981, February 13).
• Search all available standard interpretations.