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.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart I, Personal protective equipment [related topic page]
• 1910.132, General requirements
• 1910.133, Eye and face protection [related topic page]

• Guidelines for Laser Safety and Hazard Assessment. STD 01-05-001 [PUB 8-1.7], (1991, August 5). Provides guidelines to Federal OSHA and Plan States compliance officers, consultants, and employee for the assessment of laser safety.
• Guidelines For Robotics Safety. STD 01-12-002 [PUB 8-1.3], (1987, September 21). Identifies controls that can be used on robotic laser systems.
• Search all available directives.

• Use of laser guarding devices for hydraulic press brakes. (2004, March 25).
• Use of laser guarding systems with hydraulic press brakes. (2004, February 11).
• Workplace exposure limits for ultra-violet radiation. (2003, February 26).
• Hazards of Smoke Generated from Surgical Procedures. (1996, April 18).
• Clarification of the terms "direct staring" and "incidental observing". (1994, June 13). Concerns clarification of the standard addressing the use of lasers (29 CFR 1926.54(j)).
• Class I lasers. (1993, July 12).
  • "De minimis violation" status is accorded to power lasers used in the construction industry. (1992, October 21).
• Necessary training for laser equipment operators. (1992, September 21). Addresses training requirements for the use of Level 1 lasers.
• Laser standards applicable to a surgical laser program. (1987, June 3). When this letter was written OSHA did not have a standard regulating employee use of lasers.
• No specific standards regulate supermarket laser scanning equipment. (1985, April 29).
• Search all available standard interpretations.

• Z136.3-2005, Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities
• Z136.1-2000, Safe Use of Lasers
• Z136.2-1997, Safe Use of Optical Fiber Communication Systems Utilizing Laser Diode and LED Sources
• Z136.5-2000, Safe Use of Lasers in Educational Institutions
• Z136.6-2000, Safe Use of Lasers in an Outdoor Environment