OSHA Law & Regulations

Welcome to OSHA's Law and Regulations page. This page contains links to all current OSHA standards, provides information on the rulemaking process used to develop workplace health and safety standards, and includes links to all Federal Register notices that are currently open for comment. This page also provides links to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) and other relevant laws. Finally, this page includes resources to explore the Federal Register, the Code of Federal Regulations, and RegInfo.gov the federal government's public portal for all agency regulatory information.

Under the OSH Act, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace. OSHA's mission is to assure safe and healthful workplaces by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. Employers must comply with all applicable OSHA standards. Employers must also comply with the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act, which requires employers to keep their workplace free of serious recognized hazards.

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What is...
  • The Federal Register

    The official daily publication for Federal notices, rules and proposed rules, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents.

  • Visit the Federal Register web site, or browse OSHA Federal Register publications by:

  • The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

    • The codification of final rules published by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. Each volume is updated once each calendar year.
    • View all OSHA standards in Title 29 of the CFR, the Department of Labor's section of the Code of Federal Regulations.
    • Subparagraphs numbers that are highlighted in blue and underlined in the text of the standard, (e.g., 1910.27(b)(1)) provide link to related information on the site, e.g., Interpretations, Federal Register, Directives.
    • PDF and XML versions of the latest version of the standards published in 29 CFR 1910 - 1910.999 and 1910.1000 to End are available online from GPO.
Acts & Legislation Relevant to OSHA Rulemaking
Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970

(Public Law 91-596, December 29, 1970 with amendments through January 1, 2004)

To assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health; and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the “Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.”

Other Acts Executive Orders
Submitting a Comment on Regulations.gov
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Contact Us
  • National Office
    • U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA
      200 Constitution Ave., NW
      Washington, DC 20210
      1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
  • Standards Promulgating Directorates
    OSHA's Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG) and Directorate of Construction (DOC) share responsibility for developing most of the Agency's standards for general industry, maritime, and construction. Some other OSHA directorates develop rules affecting whistleblower protection and other programs.
    • Directorate of Standards & Guidance
      202-693-1950
    • Directorate of Construction
      202-693-2020
Roadmap to Rulemaking

Before OSHA can issue a standard, it must go through an extensive and lengthy process that includes substantial public engagement, notice and comment periods. This is known as OSHA's "rulemaking process." Browse the stages of the rulemaking process below to find out more information about each stage. Note the approximate time for each stop along the way. The information below the timeline explains more about the Agency's rulemaking activities and opportunities for you to participate.

OSHA can begin standards-setting procedures on its own initiative or in response to petitions from other parties, including:

  • The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS);
  • The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH);
  • State and local governments;
  • Nationally recognized standards-producing organizations and employer or labor representatives; and
  • Any other interested parties.

Each spring and fall, the Department of Labor publishes in the Federal Register a list of all standards and regulations that have work underway. The Regulatory Agenda provides a schedule for the development of standards and regulations so that employers, employees, and other interested parties can know when they are expected.

Stages of the Rulemaking Process
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6
 
Preliminary Rulemaking Activities Development of the Proposed Rule Publication of the Proposed Rule Analysis of the Rulemaking Record Development of the Final Rule OMB Review and Publication of the Final Rule
Approximate Time Required
9-24 months 24-36 months 2-12 months 4-12 months 12-24 months 4 months
Total Time: 4-1/2 to 9 years
Opportunities for Public Participation can include:
Respond to Request for Information
Comment on Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) 		SBREFA Panels
Stakeholder Meetings
Host a worksite visit
Meetings with employer, union and other stakeholders		 Comment on Proposed Rule
Participate in public hearings on the Proposed Rule
&
Submit comments during the post-hearing comment period 		Analysis of the rulemaking
record is conducted primarily by the Agency in
preparation for the next steps of the rulemaking
process 		Development of the
final rule is conducted
primarily by the Agency as it
moves forward with the
rulemaking process. 		Participate in
post-
promulgation
activities