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.

Highlighted Standards

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page]
  • 1910.1000, Air contaminants
    • Table Z-1, Limits for air contaminants
  • 1910.1043, Cotton dust

Federal Registers .

• Occupational Exposure to Cotton Dust. Notice 66:18191-18192, (2001, April 6).  Issues a direct final rule amending its occupational health standard for cotton dust.
• Occupational Exposure to Cotton Dust. Final Rules 65:76563-76567, (2000, December 7). Adds cotton washed in a batch kier system to the types of washed cotton partially exempt from the cotton dust standard.
• Occupational Exposure to Cotton Dust. Proposed Rules 65:76598-76600, (2000, December 7). Proposed Cotton Dust Standard which was issued in 1978 and amended in 1985 and 2001.
• Occupational Exposure to Cotton Dust Notice of the Availability of a Lookback Review Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866. Notice 65:76667-76669, (2000, December 7). Describes the continuing need for the cotton dust standard and completes the OSHA review of its cotton dust standards (29 CFR 1910.1043 and 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1).
• Search all available Federal Registers.

Directives

• Cotton Dust Manual. CPL 02-02-031 [CPL 2-2.31], (1981, January 16). Establishes OSHA policy and procedures necessary for enforcing at yarn manufacturing operations, at slashing, weaving, knitting, waste house operations, and at cotton warehousing operations on the premises of the cotton's processors.
• Search all available directives.

Standard Interpretations

• OSHA policy regarding PEL adjustments for extended work shifts. (1999, November 10).
• Regulations For Cotton Waste Operations. (1991, May 10).
• Sample numbers and measurement duration for compliance to the cotton dust standard for a weaving operation. (1986, November 3).
• Tufting of undyed and unwashed cotton is not covered in the scope of the revised standard of December 13, 1985. (1986, June 4).
• Standards that apply to cotton gins. (2002, August 6). Cotton gins are specifically not covered by the standard.
• The cotton dust standard applies to the elastic fabric industry. (1986, April 16).
• Search all available standard interpretations.