Safety and Health Topics: Basic Steel Products

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Occupational Safety & Health Administration
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	Basic Steel Products
	OSHA Standards

Exposures to hazards present in steel operations are addressed in specific OSHA general industry standards. This page highlights OSHA standards, Federal Registers (rules, proposed rules, and notices), directives (instructions for compliance officers), standard interpretations, and other documents related to the steel production and fabrication industry.

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 those of Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

The majority of the most severe injuries in steel operations are likely to occur in accidents involving the following types of equipment or conditions:

1910.178, Powered industrial trucks [related topic page]
1910.179, Overhead and gantry cranes [related topic page]
1910.147, The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) [related topic page]
1910.22, Walking-working surfaces, general requirements [related topic page]
1910.23, Guarding floor and wall openings and holes [related topic page]

Frequently Cited Standards

The following standards, in order, were the most frequently cited by Federal OSHA from October 2005 through September 2006, in Steel Works, Blast Furnaces, and Rolling (SIC code 331).

1910.179, Overhead and gantry cranes [related topic page]
1910.147, The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) [related topic page]
1910.219, Mechanical power-transmission apparatus [related topic page]
1910.212, General requirements for all machines [related topic page]
1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces [related topic page]
1910.23, Guarding floor and wall openings and holes [related topic page]
1910.22, Walking-working surfaces, general requirements [related topic page]
1910.178, Powered industrial trucks [related topic page]
1910.303, Electrical, general requirements [related topic page]
1910.305, Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use [related topic page]

Other Highlighted Standards

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

1910 Subpart D, Walking-working surfaces [related topic page]

1910 Subpart F, Powered platforms, manlifts, and vehicle-mounted work platforms

1910.66, Powered platforms for building maintenance

Appendix A, Guidelines (Advisory)

Appendix C, Personal fall arrest system (Section I - Mandatory; Sections II and III - Non-mandatory)

1910 Subpart G, Occupational health and environmental control

1910.94, Ventilation [related topic page]

1910 Subpart H, Hazardous materials

1910.109, Explosives and blasting agents

1910.119, Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals

Appendix A, List of highly hazardous chemicals, toxics and reactives (mandatory)

Appendix B, Block flow diagram and simplified process flow diagram (nonmandatory)

Appendix C, Compliance guidelines and recommendations for process safety management (nonmandatory)

Appendix D, Sources of further information (nonmandatory)

1910 Subpart I, Personal protective equipment

1910.132, General requirements [related topic page]

Appendix B, Non-mandatory compliance guidelines for hazard assessment and personal protective equipment selection. This appendix provides guidance on how to perform the hazard assessment mentioned in 1910.132.

1910 Subpart J, General environmental controls

1910 Subpart L, Fire protection [related topic page]

1910.157, Portable fire extinguishers

1910 Subpart N, Materials handling and storage

1910.184, Slings

1910 Subpart O, Machinery and machine guarding [related topic page]

1910 Subpart Q, Welding, cutting, and brazing [related topic page]

1910 Subpart R, Special industries

1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page]

1910.1026, Chromium (VI)

Federal Registers

Hexavalent Chromium. Final Rules 71:10099-10385, (2006, February 28).
Respiratory Protection. Final Rules 63:1152-1300, (1998, January 8).
Search all available Federal Registers.

Directives

29 CFR 1910.147, the Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) - Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance. STD 01-05-019 [STD 1-7.3], (1990, September 11).
Compliance Assistance for the Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Standards. CPL-02-01-028 [CPL 2-1.28A], (2000, Nov. 30).
Respiratory Protection Program Guidelines. CPL 02-02-054 [CPL 2-2.54A], (2000, July 14). Sets forth guidelines for establishing and implementing an OSHA respirator program.
Application of the Permit-Required Confined Spaces Standard, 29 CFR 1910.146. CPL 02-00-100 [CPL 2.100], (1995, May 5). Establishes enforcement policy and provides an explanation of the standard to ensure uniform enforcement.
Search all available directives.

Standard Interpretations

Hearing conservation 1910.95 standard questions. (1994, May 9). General OSHA interpretations related to the standard.
Process Safety Management standard. (1992, June 19). Additional standard questions on in-plant railroad safety.
Search all available standard interpretations.

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