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
  • 1910.23, Guarding floor and wall openings and holes
  • 1910.24, Fixed industrial stairs
  • 1910.25, Portable wood ladders
  • 1910.26, Portable metal ladders
  • 1910.27, Fixed ladders
  • 1910.28, Safety requirements for scaffolding [related topic page]
  • 1910.29, Manually propelled mobile ladder stands and scaffolds (towers)
  • 1910.30, Other working surfaces
• 1910 Subpart F, Powered platforms, manlifts, and vehicle-mounted work platforms
  • 1910.66, Powered platforms for building maintenance
• 1910 Subpart R, Special industries
  • 1910.272, Grain handling facilities [related topic page]

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart E, Scaffolds, ladders and other working surfaces
  • 1915.71, Scaffolds or staging
  • 1915.72, Ladders
  • 1915.73, Guarding of deck openings and edges
  • 1915.74, Access to vessels
  • 1915.75, Access to and guarding of dry docks and marine railways
  • 1915.76, Access to cargo spaces and confined spaces
  • 1915.77, Working surfaces

Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917)

• 1917 Subpart B, Marine terminal operations
  • 1917.11, Housekeeping
  • 1917.12, Slippery conditions
• 1917 Subpart F, Terminal facilities
  • 1917.111, Maintenance and load limits
  • 1917.112, Guarding of edges
  • 1917.113, Clearance heights
  • 1917.114, Cargo doors
  • 1917.115, Platforms and skids
  • 1917.116, Elevators and escalators
  • 1917.117, Manlifts
  • 1917.118, Fixed ladders
  • 1917.119, Portable ladders
  • 1917.120, Fixed Stairways
  • 1917.121, Spiral stairways
  • 1917.124, Dockboards (car and bridge plates)
  • 1917.125, Guarding temporary hazards

Longshoring (29 CFR 1918)

• 1918 Subpart D, Working surfaces
  • 1918.32, Stowed cargo and temporary landing platforms
  • 1918.33, Deck loads
  • 1918.34, Other decks
  • 1918.35, Open hatches
  • 1918.36, Weather deck rails
  • 1918.37, Barges

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart X, Ladders
  • 1926.1051, General requirements
  • 1926.1052, Stairways
  • 1926.1053, Ladders
  • 1926.1060, Training requirements
  • Appendix A, Ladders

• The OSHA Regulatory Agenda contains an entry related to walking/working surfaces.

• Shipyard Employment "Tool Bag" Directive. CPL 02-00-142, (2006, August 3). Provides guidance concerning the application of occupational safety and health standards in shipyard employment.
  • Identification of General Industry Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR 1910) Applicable to Shipyard Work. STD .2, (1985, November 4). This instruction has been superseded by CPL 02-00-133.
• Cancellation of STD 01-01-007 (29 CFR 1910.23, Guarding Floor and Wall Opening and Holes - General Industry). 06-03 (CPL 02), (2006, June 16).
• Interim Inspection Procedures During Communication Tower Construction Activities. CPL 02-01-036 [CPL 2-1.36], (2002, March 26).
• Inspection of Grain Handling Facilities, 29 CFR 1910.272. CPL 02-01-004 [CPL 2-1.4C], (1996, November 8).
• Fixed Ladders Used on Outdoor Advertising Structures/Billboards in the Outdoor Advertising Industry. STD 01-01-014 [STD 1-1.14], (1993, January 26).
• Fall Protection in General Industry 29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1), (c)(3), and 29 CFR 1910.132(a). STD 01-01-013 [STD 1-1.13], (1984, April 16).
• Application of 29 CFR 1910.27, Fixed Ladders, to Fixed Ladders Used in Emergency Situations. STD 01-01-012 [STD 1-1.12], (1983, June 20).
• 29 CFR 1910.27, Clarification of Fixed Ladders, Relative to Manhole (Rungs) Steps. STD 01-01-009 [STD 1-1.9], (1978, December 29).
• 29 CFR 1910.23(c), Metal Pouring Platforms -- Protection of Open- sided Floors, Platforms and Runways. STD 01-01-008 [STD 1-1.8], (1978, October 30).
• 29 CFR 1910.23(e)(5), (iii), Clearance of Handrails and Railings -- General Industry. STD 01-01-006 [STD 1-1.6], (1978, October 30).
• 29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1), Protection of Opensided Floors, Platforms and Runways; Guardrails -- Loading Rack Platforms. STD 01-01-005 [STD 1-1.5], (1978, October 30).
• Plain Language Revision of OSHA Instruction STD 3.1, Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction. STD 03-00-001 [STD 3.01A], (1999, June 18).
• Search all available directives.

• Acceptability of slip on fittings on stair rails and requirement for stair rails to be smooth surfaced. (2005, November 14).
• Search all available standard interpretations.