Healthcare
Standards
This section highlights OSHA standards and documents related to healthcare.
The General Duty Clause of the OSH Act (the law that created OSHA) requires employers to provide workers with a safe workplace that does not have any known hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury.
OSHA Standards
Frequently Cited Standards
OSHA maintains a listing of the most frequently cited standards for specified 6-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. Please refer to OSHA's Frequently Cited OSHA Standards page for additional information. For Health Care and Social Assistance, use NAICS code 62 in the NAICS search box.
Other Highlighted Standards
General Industry (29 CFR 1910) |
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1910 Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment | ||
1910.132, General requirements. |
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1910.133, Eye and face protection. |
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1910.134, Respiratory protection. |
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1910 Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances | ||
1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens. |
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1910.1047, Ethylene oxide. |
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1910.1048, Formaldehyde. |
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1910.1096, Ionizing radiation. |
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1910.1200, Hazard Communication. |
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1910.1450, Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. |
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State Plan Standards
There are 29 OSHA-approved State Plans operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or more stringent requirements.
For specific Patient Handling legislation of various states see the Safe Patient Handling page.
Additional Directives
Note: The directives in this list provide additional information that is not necessarily connected to a specific OSHA standard highlighted on this Safety and Health Topics page.
- Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Workplace Violence. CPL 02-01-058, (January 10, 2017).
- Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis. CPL 02-02-078, (June 30, 2015).
Additional Letters of Interpretation
Note: The letters in this list provide additional information that is not necessarily connected to a specific OSHA standard highlighted on this Safety and Health Topics page.
- Inspection Guidance for Inpatient Healthcare Settings (June 25, 2015).
- Most frequently asked questions concerning the bloodborne pathogens standard (February 01, 1993).
For additional information, see:
- Occupational Asthma. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
- Reproductive Hazards. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
- Compliance Assistance Quick Start. OSHA. By following this step-by-step guide, you can identify many of the major OSHA requirements and guidance materials that may apply to your workplace. Small and new businesses may find Quick Start helpful as an introduction to the compliance assistance resources on OSHA's website.
- Health Care Industry. Applies to employers and employees in the health care field.