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 H, Hazardous materials
  • 1910.101, Compressed gases (general requirements)
  • 1910.102, Acetylene
  • 1910.103, Hydrogen 
  • 1910.104, Oxygen
  • 1910.105, Nitrous oxide
• 1910 Subpart M, Compressed gas and compressed air equipment
  • 1910.169, Air receivers
• 1910 Subpart Q, Welding, cutting, and brazing [related topic page]
  • 1910.253, Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting
  • 1910.254, Arc welding and cutting
• 1910 Subpart T, Commercial diving operations [related topic page]
  • 1910.430, Equipment

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart D, Welding, cutting and heating
  • 1915.55, Gas welding and cutting

Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917)

• 1917 Subpart G, Related terminal operations and equipment
  • 1917.152, Welding, cutting and heating (hot work) (see also 1917.2, definition of hazardous cargo, materials, substance or atmosphere)
  • 1917.154, Compressed air
  • 1917.155, Air receivers

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart D, Occupational health and environmental controls
  • 1926.65, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
• 1926 Subpart J, Welding and cutting
  • 1926.350, Gas welding and cutting

Compressed Gas

• Changes to the Regulatory and General Industry Standard Alleged Violation Elements (SAVEs) Manual. CPL 02-00-035 [CPL 2.35 CH-25], (1994, August 29).
• Changes to the Regulatory General Industry Standard Alleged Violation. CPL 02-00-035 [CPL 2.35 CH-17], (1991, June 17).
• Maritime Standard Alleged Violation Elements (SAVEs) Manual. CPL 02-00-032 [CPL 2.32A], (1983, December 21).

Compressed Air

• Changes to the Regulatory and General Industry Standard Alleged Violation Elements (SAVE's) Manual. CPL 02-00-035 [CPL 2.35 CH-8], (1985, November 4).
• 29 CFR 1926.350(a)(9) Securing of Compressed Gas Cylinders. STD 03-08-002 [STD 3-8.2], (1981, March 11). Applies to construction sites only, and not to the manufacturers and distributors of welding gases.
• Drains on Air Receivers; 29 CFR 1910.169(a)(2)(i) and (6)(2). STD 01-10-002 [STD 1-10.2], (1978, October 30). Provides guidelines for issuance of citations for violation of drain requirements for air receivers.
• Reduction of Air Pressure below 30 psi for Cleaning Purposes. STD 01-13-001 [STD 1-13.1], (1978, October 30). Provides guidance for complying with the standard.

• Search all available directives.

Gas Cylinders

• Compressed gas cylinders. (1996, November 14).
• Movement of compressed gas cylinders with regulators installed and "special truck" requirement. (1993, September 9).
• Applicability of compressed gas cylinder standard to workplaces subject to the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard. (1992, June 5).
• Transportation of compressed gas chambers. (1992, May 5).
• Maintaining Workplace Acetylene Cylinders. (1992, February 6).
• Compressed Gas Cylinder Valve Protector. (1989, July 26).
• Interpretation of "special truck" as identified in 1910.252(a)(2)(v)(B)(4). (1988, October 24).
• Applicable regulations to the Nupro 316-DC-RD cylinder valve. (1986, May 16).
• Valve protection for compressed gas cylinders. (1980, October 22).
• Clarification of 29 CFR 1926.350(b)(4) to Permit Cylinders Containing Oxygen, Acetylene or Other Fuel Gas to be Taken into Tunnels. (1975, July 7).

Compressed Air

• Using compressed air for cleaning an employee's body and clothing. (1994, January 14).
• Use of compressed air when cleaning arsenic and lead contaminated surfaces. (1993, March 18).
• Use of thermoplastic pipe in above ground locations. (1991, February 28).
• The safe use of portable, compressed-air-actuated, fastener driving tools (staple guns). (1986, August 8).
• Response to request for variance from 1910.242(b). (1985, December 6).
• 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).
• The use of compressed air for cleaning purposes with a pressure greater than 30 P.S.I. and the use of air guns with long pipes. (1978, April 14).

• Search all available standard interpretations.