Standards

Agricultural operations are addressed in specific standards for agriculture and the general industry. This section highlights:

• OSHA standards;
  
  
• preambles to final rules (background to final rules);
  
  
• directives (instructions for compliance officers); and
  
  
• standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards).

Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans, which are required to be at least as effective as Federal OSHA, but may adopt their own standards and enforcement policies. However, most have adopted standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. Other federal standards related to agricultural operations are included for reference.

OSHA Standards

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".

Agriculture (29 CFR 1928)

• 1928.1, Purpose and scope
  
  
• 1928.21, Applicability of standards in 29 CFR part 1910
  
  
• 1928.51, Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for agricultural tractors
  
  
• 1928.52, Protective frames for wheel-type agricultural tractors
  
  
• 1928.53, Protective enclosures for wheel-type agricultural tractors
  
  
• 1928.57, Guarding of farm field equipment, farmstead equipment, and cotton gins
  
  
• 1928.110, Field sanitation
  
  
• 1928.1027, Cadmium

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910.111, Storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia
  • 1910.111(a), General
  • 1910.111(b), Basic rules
    
    
• 1910.142, Temporary labor camps
  
  
• 1910.145, Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags
  • 1910.145(f), Accident prevention tags
    • Appendix A, Recommended color coding
    • Appendix B, References for further information
      
      
• 1910.266, Logging operations [related topic page]
  • Appendix A, First-aid kits (Mandatory)
  • Appendix B, First-aid and CPR training (Mandatory)
  • Appendix C, Comparable ISO standards (Non-mandatory)
    
    
• 1910.1200, Hazard communication [related topic page]
  • Appendix A, Health hazard definitions (Mandatory)
  • Appendix B, Hazard determination (Mandatory)
  • Appendix C, Information sources (Advisory) [removed]
  • Appendix D, Definition of "trade secret" (Mandatory)
  • Appendix E, Guidelines for employer compliance (Advisory)
    
    
• 1910.1201, Retention of DOT markings, placards, and labels
  
  
• 1910.1027, Cadmium [related topic page]
  • Appendix A, Substance safety data sheet - cadmium
  • Appendix B, Substances technical guidelines for cadmium
  • Appendix C, Qualitative and quantitative fit testing procedures [reserved]
  • Appendix D, Occupational health history interview with reference to cadmium exposure
  • Appendix E, Cadmium in workplace atmospheres
  • Appendix F, Non-mandatory protocol for biological monitoring

OSHA Preambles to Final Rules

• Cadmium (1992)
  • IX. Summary and Explanation of the Final Cadmium Standard for General Industries, Agriculture, and Maritime
    
    
• Search all available preambles to final rules.

OSHA Directives; Instructions to OSHA staff

• Guidelines for Implementing the Field Sanitation Standard. CPL 02-02-042 [CPL 2-2.42], (1992, June 22).
  
  
• Field Sanitation; Final Rule. CSP 01-01-019 [STP 2-1.138], (1987, September 21).
  
  
• 29 CFR 1910.145(d)(10), Slow-moving Vehicle Emblem Requirements. STD 01-07-002 [STD 1-7.2], (1978, October 30).
  
  
• Interpretations of: (a)-29 CFR 1928.51(a), Definitions "Agricultural Tractor." (b)-29 CFR 1928.51(b)(1), Rollover. STD 04-00-001 [STD 4.1], (1978, October 30).
  
  
• Low Profile Tractor. STD 04-00-002 [STD 4.2], (1978, October 30).
  
  
• Search all available directives.

OSHA Enforcement Standard Interpretations

• OSHA Asbestos standard. (1997, February 5).
  
  
• Letter requesting that OSHA exempt animal feed ingredients from the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200, the Hazard Communication Standard. (1995, September 18).
  
  
• Farming Appropriations Rider. (1992, July 22).
  
  
• Oregon Interagency Migrant Labor Camp Enforcement Agreement. (1991, April 9).
  
  
• Interpretation of 1928.110(a) defining "Field Worker". (1989, February 6).
  
  
• Temporary Labor Camp Standard regarding range production of livestock. (1988, April 12).
  
  
• OSHA requirement for guarding power take-off (PTO) shafts on agricultural equipment. (1983, June 28).
  
  
• Hearing conservation amendment does not cover construction or agriculture. (1983, March 29).
  
  
• Clarification of the classification of the aquaculture industries for OSHA enforcement purposes. (1982, September 28).
  
  
• "Electrical Disconnect Means" as they relate to center pivot irrigation systems. (1976, December 17).
  
  
• Guarding of cotton ginning equipment standards. (1976, August 30).
  
  
• Guarding of Farm Field Equipment, Farmstead Equipment, and Cotton Gins. (1976, July 2).

Field Sanitation Standard

• Field Sanitation Standard. (1991, October 31).
  
  
• Applicability of Field Sanitation Standard to Reforestation Activities. (1990, July 30).
  
  
• The Field Sanitation Standard, as it relates to the number of workers excluded from coverage. (1990, May 22).
  
  
• OSHA enforcement of the Field Sanitation Standard and the Hazard Communication Standard with respect to pesticides. (1990, May 16).
  
  
• Applicability of the Field Sanitation Standard. (1989, November 6).
  
  
• Policy change regarding the scope of coverage of the field sanitation standard. (1989, September 5).

Rollover Protection Standard

• Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) used on agricultural wheeled tractors. (1991, November 5).
  
  
• Differences between the various standards for Rollover Protective Structures used on agricultural wheeled tractors. (1991, October 25).
  
  
• SAE J2194 standard for Agricultural Tractor Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS). (1989, February 6).
  
  
• Clarification of roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for tractors used in agricultural operations. (1981, October 22).
  
  
• Rollover Protective Structures on skid-steer loaders used in agricultural operations. (1976, April 6).
  

• Search all available standard interpretations.

Other Federal Agency's Standards and Guidance

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

• 40 CFR Part 170, Worker protection standard