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 D, Walking-working surfaces
  • 1910.21, Definitions
  • 1910.22, General requirements [related topic page]
  • 1910.23, Guarding floor and wall openings and holes [related topic page]
  • 1910.24, Fixed industrial stairs
  • 1910.25, Portable wood ladders
  • 1910.26, Portable metal ladders
  • 1910.27, Fixed ladders
• 1910 Subpart E, Exit routes, emergency action plans, and fire prevention plans
  • 1910.38, Emergency action plans [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart G, Occupational health and environmental control
  • 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart H, Hazardous materials [related topic page]
  • 1910.119, Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals [related topic page]
  • 1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
• 1910 Subpart I, Personal protective equipment
  • 1910.132, General requirements [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart J, General environmental controls
  • 1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces [related topic page]
  • 1910.147, The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart N, Materials handling and storage
  • 1910.178, Powered industrial trucks [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart O, Machinery and machine guarding
  • 1910.212, General requirements for all machines [related topic page]
    • 1910.212(a)(3)(ii)
• 1910 Subpart P, Hand and portable powered tools and other hand-held equipment
  • 1910.243, Guarding of portable powered tools [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart S, Electrical
  • 1910.303, General requirements [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page]
  • 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens [related topic page]
  • 1910.1200, Hazard communication [related topic page]

• New Meat Tenderizing Technology in the Meat Industry. CPL 02-01-015 [CPL 2-1.15A], (1981, December 23). Provides guidelines for inspection of possible electrically hazardous conditions associated with a meat tenderizing technology being introduced into the meat packing industry.
• Acceptable Guarding for Circular Meat Cutting Saws: 29 CFR Section 1910.212(a)(3)(ii). STD 01-12-005 [STD 1-12.5], (1978, October 30).
• Application of 29 CFR 1910.132(a) to the Retail Food Industry. STD 01-06-001 [STD 1-6.1], (1978, October 30). Clarifies the application of OSHA's personal protective equipment (PPE) standard, 29 CFR 1910.132(a), to the cutting hazard found in the meat departments of retail food stores.
• Search all available directives.

• Response to concerns about unsafe and unsanitary conditions within the meatpacking industry. (2003, March 20).
• OSHA has no specific regulations regarding minors. (1999, November 10).
• Interpretation of the Personal Protective Equipment standard. (1995, July 3).
• Various questions on OSHA standards. (1992, September 1). Answers questions concerning OSHA's standards, including 29 CFR 1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response; 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne Pathogens; and 29 CFR 1910.119, Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals.
• Sharp knives and utensils in the workplace. (1991, December 10).
• Search all available standard interpretations.