If there are no specific standards to address a workplace hazard, then OSHA refers to the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act), which 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 industry or may have different enforcement policies. State standards that differ from Federal standards are listed in the State section below.

• 1910.147, The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) [related topic page]
• 1910.212, General requirements for all machines [related topic page]
• 1910.178, Powered industrial trucks [related topic page]
• 1910.305, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use
• 1910.1200, Hazard communication [related topic page]
• 1910.303, General requirements (Electrical) [related topic page]
• 1910.134, Respiratory protection [related topic page]
• 1910.219, Mechanical power-transmission apparatus
• 1910.132, General requirements (personal protective equipment) [related topic page]
• 1910.215, Abrasive wheel machinery
  
  

• National Emphasis Program on Amputations. CPL 03-00-003, (2006, October 27). Describes policies and procedures for implementing a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to identify and reduce the workplace machinery and equipment hazards which are causing or are likely to cause amputations. This directive applies to general industry workplaces where saws, shears, slicers, press brakes, and power presses of all types are present.
• Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard. CPL 02-02-038 [CPL 2-2.38D], (1998, March 20). Provides clarifications and guidance to comply with this performance-oriented standard. The appendices include sample hazard communication programs, hazard evaluation procedures, and clarifications and interpretations of the standards.
• Search all available directives.

Note: These are NOT OSHA regulations. However, they do provide guidance from their originating organizations related to worker protection.

• Part 62, Plastic Molding. Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DL&EG), General Industry Safety Standards, (2000, January 24), 31 KB PDF, 7 pages.

Note: These are NOT OSHA regulations. However, they do provide guidance from their originating organizations related to worker protection.

• Injection
  • B151.1-2007, Horizontal injection molding machines - safety requirements for manufacture, care and use. Applies to horizontal injection molding machines that are used in the rubber and plastics industries.
    • HIMM: Summary of Interpretations of ANSI B151.1-1997. Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI), Machinery Division, (2001, October 1).
  • B151.21-2003, Injection blowmolding machinery - safety requirements for manufacture, care and use. Applies to all IBMMs (including Injection Stretch Blow) that process plastic materials and produce and/or deliver a preform which is then blown into the shape of a mold held together by a vertically or horizontally acting clamp(s).
  • B151.27-2003, Safety requirements for the integration, care and use of robots used wth horizontal & vertical injection molding machines.
  • B151.29-2002, Safety requirements for the manufacture, care and use of vertical clamp injection molding machines. Identifies and addresses known hazards to personnel working on or with the specified machinery.
• Extrusion
  • B151.15-2003, Extrusion blowmolding machines - safety requirements for the manufacture care and use. Minimizes hazards to personnel associated with machine activity by establishing requirements for the manufacture, care, and use of these machines.
  • B151.5-2000, Plastic film and sheet winding machinery - manufacture, care, and use. Identifies and addresses known hazards to personnel working on or adjacent to the machinery.
  • B151.2-1999, Film casting machines - construction, care, and use (revision and redesignation of ANSI B151.2-1982 (R1988)). Identifies and addresses known hazards to personnel working on or adjacent to the machinery.
  • B151.4-1999, Blown film take-off and auxiliary equipment - construction, care, and use (revision and redesignation of ANSI B151.4-1982 (R1988)). Identifies and addresses known hazards to personnel working on or adjacent to the machinery.
  • B151.20-1999, American national standard for plastic sheet production machinery - manufacture, care and use. Identifies and addresses known hazards to personnel working on or with the machinery.
• Lockout/Tagout
  • Z244.1-2003 (R2008), Control of hazardous energy - lockout/tagout and alternative methods. Cited in OSHA interpretations and private sector materials, the Z244.1 Standard is used as a resource for addressing control of hazardous energy and lockout/tagout. The scope and purpose of the standard is to establish requirements for the control of hazardous energy associated with machines, equipment, or processes that could cause injury to personnel. The purpose of this standard is to establish requirements and performance objectives for procedures, techniques, designs and methods that protect personnel where injury can occur as a result of the unexpected release of hazardous energy. Unexpected release of hazardous energy can include any unintended motion, energization, start-up or release of stored energy, deliberate or otherwise, from the perspective of the person(s) at risk.
    • Z244 Subcommittee Information. American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).