OSHA Resources

OSHA Standards

Other OSHA Requirements

• Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 requires employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to workers.
• OSHA is precluded under section 4(b)(1) of the OSH Act from enforcing requirements pertaining to working conditions regulated by another federal agency. For more information, also see the Memoranda of Understanding, below.
  • The Atomic Energy Act (AEA) of 1954, as amended, authorizes U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to regulate the occupational safety and health of private sector employees at facilities subject to the act. DOE rules for Occupational Radiation Protection (10 CFR 835) establish radiation protection standards, limits, and program requirements for protecting individuals from ionizing radiation resulting from the conduct of DOE activities.
  • The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulates worker exposure to ionizing radiation for specific materials for which NRC issues licenses (10 CFR 20 – Standards for Protection Against Radiation).
  • The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulates miners' exposure to ionizing radiation from short lived decay products (daughters) of radon gases and gamma radiation from radioactive ores in underground metal and nonmetal mines (30 CFR 57.5037-57.5047).
• Employers whose workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal operations of use or in a foreseeable emergency may have to comply with OSHA's Hazard Communication standards (in general industry, marine terminals, and longshoring, 29 CFR 1910.1200; in construction, 29 CFR 1926.59; and in shipyard employment, 29 CFR 1915.1200). These standards classify the potential hazards of chemicals and communicates information concerning hazards and appropriate protective measures to employees.

Selected Letters of interpretation

• Fit testing for CBRN respirators. (October 26, 2011).
• Occupational exposure limits, access restrictions, and posting requirements for airborne radioactive materials. (December 23, 2002).
• Correct method for calculating whole body dose for ionizing radiation. (August 4, 1999).
• Maintenance of radiation exposure records NRC licensee contractors. (February 23, 1998).
• Suggested state regulations for control of radiation. (September 19, 1995).
• Definition of an airborne radioactivity area. (October 6, 1992).
• Application of 1910.120 to emergency responders at nuclear power plants. (January 28, 1991).
• Application of 1910.120 to cleanup of nuclear and hazardous waste. (April 4, 1990).
• Ionizing radiation hazards in the workplace. (September 27, 1990).
• Clarification of the jurisdictions of OSHA and the NRC in nuclear power plants. (January 8, 1987).
• OSHA/NRC Interface Activities and Related Information. (January 15, 1985).
• Review of permissible radiation exposure levels. (November 5, 1985).
• Health problems probably not due to ionizing radiation exposure. (October 10, 1984).
• Respirator air quality standards do not apply where the NRC has jurisdiction. (March 6, 1979).

Directives and Memoranda

• Inspection Procedures for 29 CFR 1910.120 and 1926.65, Paragraph (q): Emergency Response to Hazardous Substance Releases. CPL 02-02-073.
• Memorandum of Understanding between the OSHA and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. CPL 02-00-086. Delineates the authorities, responsibilities and other activities between OSHA and NRC for occupational health and safety at radiation sites.
• OSHA Coverage of Ionizing Radiation Sources Not Covered by Atomic Energy Act of 1954. STD 01-04-001.
• Compliance Policy for Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention Plans. CPL 02-01-037.
• National Emergency Management Plan (NEMP). HSO 01-00-001.
• OSHA Response to Significant Events of Potentially Catastrophic Consequence. CPL 02-00-094. Describes the agency's policy for responding as quickly as possible to significant events that may affect the health or safety of employees.
• Shipyard Employment “Tool Bag” Directive. CPL 02-00-162. Describes the application of occupational safety and health standards in shipyard employment.

Safety and Health Topics Pages

• Ionizing Radiation
• Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • Getting Started – General Business Preparedness
  • Getting Started – Evacuation & Shelter-in-Place
  • Getting Started – OSHA's Role in Emergency Response
  • Getting Started – PPE for Emergency Response and Recovery Workers
• Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Recordkeeping
• Respiratory Protection

Additional OSHA Guidance Materials

• For more information on HAZWOPER activities, see the Occupational Safety & Health Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Site Activities developed by OSHA, NIOSH, the U.S. Coast Guard and the EPA. OSHA has also developed a Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response booklet and FactSheet.
• Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear (CBRN) Personal Protective Equipment Selection Matrix for Emergency Responders
  • Specific PPE guidance for RDDs
• The "Preparing and Protecting Security Personnel in Emergencies" booklet addresses emergencies involving hazardous substance releases and provides guidance for employers and their security personnel who may be involved in emergency response operations where CBRN exposure is anticipated.
• The Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) "CBRN Escape Respirators" addresses emergency escape masks that some employers, including government agencies, have provided to workers to protect against CBRN warfare agents.
• OSHA's Evacuation Planning Matrix and Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool provide guidance to help employers develop effective evacuation plans that increase the likelihood that workers will reach shelter safely in the event of a CBRN emergency. The guidance focuses particularly on intentional (terrorist) releases of hazardous substances.
  • The Shelter-in-Place module of the eTool teaches employers and workers about workers about situations in which it may be safer to remain indoors rather than evacuating.
• OSHA Best Practices for Protecting EMS Responders during Treatment and Transport of Victims of Hazardous Substance Releases provides guidance for emergency medical service (EMS) responders who provide medical assistance during an incident involving a hazardous substance release. It discusses the measures that employers of EMS responders should take to protect their EMS responders from becoming additional victims while on the front line of medical response, including providing adequate training and appropriate personal protective equipment for the incidents and hazards that EMS responders might face.
• OSHA Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers of Victims from Mass Casualty Incidents Involving the Release of Hazardous Substances focuses on unique PPE, training and other needs of healthcare workers in hospital settings. These workers may be at risk of occupational exposures to chemical, biological, or radiological materials when a hospital receives contaminated patients, particularly during mass casualty incidents.
• The OSHA Principal Emergency Response and Preparedness Requirements and Guidance provides a generic, non-exhaustive overview of OSHA standards for emergencies.

OSHA/Interagency Guidance Documents

• Health and Safety Planning Guide for Planners, Safety Officers and Supervisors for Protecting Responders Following a Nuclear Detonation.
• Improvised Nuclear Device Response and Recovery – Communicating in the Immediate Aftermath.
• Communicating During and After a Nuclear Power Plant Incident.
• Planning Guidance for Response to a Nuclear Detonation.
• Occupational Safety and Health Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Site Activities.