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. State standards that differ from Federal standards are listed in the State section below.

• 242 - Sawmills and Planing Mills
  • 2421 - Sawmills and Planing Mills, General (SIC description)
  • 2426 - Hardwood Dimension and Flooring Mills (SIC description)
  • 2429 - Special Product Sawmills, Not Elsewhere Classified (SIC description)

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

• Logging and Sawmill Safety Orders. California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 13.

• Safety Standards for Sawmills and Woodworking Operations. Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-78.