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.

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart C, General safety and health provisions
  • 1926.28, Personal protective equipment

• 1926 Subpart E, Personal protective and life saving equipment
  • 1926.95, Criteria for personal protective equipment
  • 1926.96, Occupational foot protection
  • 1926.100, Head protection
  • 1926.101, Hearing protection
  • 1926.102, Eye and face protection
  • 1926.103, Respiratory protection
  • 1926.104, Safety belts, lifelines, and lanyards
  • 1926.105, Safety nets
  • 1926.106, Working over or near water
  • 1926.107, Definitions applicable to this subpart
• 1926 Subpart M, Fall protection
• 1926.500, Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart
• 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection
• 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices
• 1926.503, Training requirements
• 1926 Subpart P, Excavations
  • 1926.651, Specific excavation requirements
  • 1926.652, Requirements for protective systems

• Employer Payment For Personal Protective Equipment. Proposed Rules 64:15401-15441, (1999, March 31). Proposed rule suggesting employer's responsibility for payment of PPE costs.
• Search all available Federal Registers.

• Requirements for stacking and carrying lumber with nails. (2006, January 25).
• Citations for the wearing of short pants by employees engaged in hot tar and asphalt construction work. (1997, April 17).
• Search all available standard interpretations.