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 I, Personal protective equipment

• 1910.134, Respiratory protection. The amended respiratory protection standard added requirements for Assigned Protection Factors. This has resulted in amendments to the Benzene standard at 1910.1028(g)(2)(i) and 1910.1028(g)(3)(i).

• 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page]
  • 1910.1028, Benzene

  • Appendix A, Substance safety data sheet, benzene
  • Appendix B, Substance technical guidelines, benzene
  • Appendix C, Medical surveillance guidelines for benzene
  • Appendix D, Sampling and analytical methods for benzene monitoring and measurement procedures

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances
  • 1915.1028, Benzene. The requirements applicable to shipyard employment under this section are identical to those set forth by 29 CFR 1910.1028.

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances
  • 1926.1128, Benzene. The requirements applicable to construction work under this section are identical to those set forth by 29 CFR 1910.1028.

• Air Contaminants (1989)
• Search all available preambles to final rules.

Federal Registers

• Standard on Benzene; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements. Notice 71:29986-29987, (2006, May 24).
• Search all available Federal Registers.

Directives

• Subpart B, Confined and Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres in Shipyard Employment. CPL 02-01-042, (2005, September 7).
• Changes to the Regulatory and General Industry Standard. CPL 02-00-035 [CPL 2.35 CH-12], (1990, July 25).
• Search all available directives.

• Correct manner to interpret air sample measurements of an employee's asbestos exposure when the samples are overloaded. (2006, January 17).
• Respirator selection requirements prescribed in the OSHA standard on benzene exposure. (1994, January 10).
• Benzene Standard - Clarification of scope pertaining to Gasoline operations. (1989, December 26).
• Respiratory Protection Tables. (1989, December 18).
• Monitoring employee exposures to airborne benzene. (1989, November 13).
• Interpretation of Blood Test Parameters Under the Benzene Standard. (1989, July 20).
• Clarification on respirator use relating to the benzene standard. (1989, April 6).
• Applicability of the Benzene Standard and respirator requirements for bulk gasoline storage facilities. (1988, May 23).
• Application of PEL for benzene to extended work shifts. (1988, March 22).
• Medical Surveillance requirements of the Benzene Standard. (1988, March 14).
• Search all available standard interpretations.