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 Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page]
  • 1910.1000, Air contaminants
  • 1910.1001, Asbestos [related topic page]
    • Appendix A, OSHA reference method - mandatory
    • Appendix B, Detailed procedure for asbestos sampling and analysis - non-mandatory
    • Appendix J, Polarized light microscopy of asbestos -- non-mandatory
  • 1910.1026, Chromium (VI)
  • 1910.1027, Cadmium [related topic page]
    • Appendix F, Nonmandatory protocol for biological monitoring
  • 1910.1028, Benzene [related topic page]
    • Appendix D, Sampling and analytical methods for benzene monitoring and measurement procedures
  • 1910.1029, Coke oven emissions
    • Appendix B, Industrial hygiene and medical surveillance guidelines
  • 1910.1043, Cotton dust [related topic page]
    • Appendix A, Air sampling and analytical procedures for determining concentrations of cotton dust
  • 1910.1044, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane
    • Appendix B, Substance technical guidelines for DBCP
  • 1910.1045, Acrylonitrile
    • Appendix D, Sampling and analytical methods for acrylonitrile
  • 1910.1047, Ethylene oxide [related topic page]
    • Appendix D, Sampling and analytical methods for ethylene oxide (Non-mandatory)
    • Appendix F, Nonmandatory protocol for biological monitoring
  • 1910.1048, Formaldehyde [related topic page]
    • Appendix B, Sampling strategy and analytical methods for Formaldehyde
  • 1910.1050, Methylenedianiline
    • Appendix D, Sampling and analytical methods for MDA monitoring and measurement procedures
  • 1910.1051, 1,3-Butadiene [related topic page]
    • Appendix D, Sampling and analytical method for 1,3-Butadiene (Non-mandatory)
  • 1910.1052, Methylene chloride [related topic page]
    • Appendix C, Questions and answers - methylene chloride control in furniture stripping

• Use of "objective data" to accurately characterize employee exposures to hexavalent chromium during welding operations. (2006, November 14).
• Maintenance and preservation of employee exposure records. (1999, April 1).
• Clarification of the requirements of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard. (1997, October 31).
• The appropriate method for assessing hydrogen sulfide peak exposure levels. (1995, September 28). Describes the appropriate method for assessing hydrogen sulfide peak exposure levels.
• Sampling for benzidine congener dyes. (1991, January 18). Describes sampling and shipping methods applicable to these dyes.
• Use of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is not acceptable to determine employee lead exposures. (2000, May 8). Provides an explanation of why OSHA does not use XRF in the evaluation of lead exposures, clarifying that OSHA does not rely on bulk and surface measurements for evaluating employee exposures.
• Wood dust sampling. (1993, April 22). Clarifies that respirable sampling is not recommended for wood dust.
• Sampling Procedures for Employees Using Air-Supplied Respirators. (1989, June 27). Clarifies that employee exposure samples are not to be collected inside the hood of an air-supplied repirator.
• Search standard interpretations related to sampling and analysis.