Governing Regulations
Workplace safety and health in general industry are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a U.S. federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards. OSHA regulations aim to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by addressing common hazards such as falls, hazardous materials, electrical dangers, and machine-related risks.
The United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) compiles the laws and regulations of the U.S. government, including OSHA-enforced standards. OSHA’s general industry regulations are primarily found in Title 29 of the CFR, Part 1910, which is divided into subparts covering different safety and health topics.
Key governing regulations for general industry include:
- 29 CFR Part 1910 – General Industry Safety Standards
- Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) – Ensures proper labeling and communication of hazardous materials
- Electrical Safety & Hazard Communication – Protects workers from electrical risks and chemical hazards
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidelines – Establishes requirements for selecting and using PPE
