August 27, 2026 Steven Eaton

OSHA Standards Index: 29 CFR 1910 and 1926 Explained (2026 Guide)

How do you find the OSHA standard that applies to your workplace?

Short answer: start with which rulebook covers the work. General industry runs on 29 CFR 1910 and construction on 29 CFR 1926, and the two set different thresholds for the same hazard — fall protection begins at 4 feet in one and 6 feet in the other. This index lists every section of both parts that carries a practical equipment or programme duty, with its official title from the Code of Federal Regulations, a plain-English summary, and a link to the full text on osha.gov.

The 134 sections below are the ones that decide what protective equipment a worker wears, what programme an employer has to write down, and what an inspector measures against. Section titles are taken verbatim from the eCFR structure for Title 29; every summary was written against that section's own regulatory text rather than a secondary description. Where this site has published a dedicated guide to a standard, the row links to it.

Why this matters.
Almost every serious compliance mistake this site encounters is a scope error rather than an equipment error — the right protective gear chosen against the wrong rulebook. A construction crew held to the general industry noise standard gets an audiometric testing programme it does not owe; a warehouse held to the construction fall standard leaves workers unprotected between 4 and 6 feet. For violations assessed after 15 January 2026, OSHA's maximum penalty is $16,550 per serious violation and $165,514 per wilful or repeated violation, so the cost of citing the wrong part is not academic.

How to read an OSHA citation

Every OSHA requirement has an address, and reading it correctly tells you immediately whether it applies to your work. Taking 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M § 1926.501(b)(1) apart:

Element	What it is	What it tells you
29	Title	Labor. Every OSHA standard lives in Title 29.
CFR	Code of Federal Regulations	The codified body of federal regulation, as distinct from the Federal Register where changes are first published.
1926	Part	1910 is general industry; 1926 is construction. 1915, 1917 and 1918 cover shipyards, marine terminals and longshoring.
Subpart M	Subpart	The thematic grouping. Subpart M of 1926 is Fall Protection. Subparts are lettered, and OSHA inspectors cite by subpart in practice even though the letter is not part of the section number.
.501	Section	The rule itself. Section numbers do not restart per subpart — they run continuously through the part.
(b)(1)	Paragraph	The specific requirement. This is the level a citation is actually written at, and the level that decides whether you are compliant.

The practical consequence: a requirement quoted at section level is usually incomplete. "1926.501 requires fall protection" is true but unusable — the duty, the trigger height and the permitted systems all live at paragraph level, and 1926.501(b) alone has fifteen of them.

General industry vs construction: the crosswalk

These sixteen duties exist in both rulebooks under different numbers. Where the two differ substantively, the difference is stated rather than smoothed over — those differences are where compliance errors concentrate.

Duty	General industry (1910)	Construction (1926)	Where they differ
Personal protective equipment, general	1910.132	1926.95	Both carry the employer-payment rule. Only 1910.132 spells out the written hazard-assessment certification.
Eye and face protection	1910.133	1926.102	Substantively parallel; both route to the ANSI Z87.1 editions named in their own incorporation-by-reference lists.
Head protection	1910.135	1926.100	Construction wording is older and broader ("possible danger"); general industry splits the falling-object and electrical duties into two paragraphs.
Foot protection	1910.136	1926.96	The widest gap on this table. General industry names the ASTM F-2412/F-2413 series; construction still names ANSI Z41.1-1967.
Respiratory protection	1910.134	1926.103	Not parallel — identical. 1926.103 is a one-line cross-reference to 1910.134.
Hand protection	1910.138	—	Construction has no dedicated hand-protection section; the duty runs through 1926.28 and 1926.95.
Noise exposure	1910.95	1926.52 + 1926.101	Construction has no 85 dBA action level and no mandated audiometric testing programme — the biggest practical difference between the two.
Medical services and first aid	1910.151	1926.50	Construction demands a certificated first-aid provider and weekly kit checks; general industry asks only for someone "adequately trained".
Fall protection — duty	1910.28	1926.501	Trigger height differs: 4 ft in general industry, 6 ft in construction.
Fall protection — criteria	1910.29 + 1910.140	1926.502	General industry splits system criteria in two, with all personal fall protection in 1910.140.
Ladders	1910.23	1926.1053	Both require the 3 ft extension above a landing; the load tests are written differently (4x maximum intended load in construction).
Confined spaces	1910.146	1926.1203–1926.1204	Construction adds the host / controlling-contractor / entry-employer information chain that general industry has no analogue for.
Respirable crystalline silica	1910.1053	1926.1153	Only the construction rule has Table 1, the task-based control list that removes the need for exposure assessment.
Lead	1910.1025	1926.62	Construction adds presumed-exposure trigger tasks requiring interim protection before any monitoring result exists.
Asbestos	1910.1001	1926.1101	Only the construction rule uses the Class I–IV work classification system.
Accident prevention signs	1910.145	1926.200	Construction mandates red-on-white 6-inch exit lettering; general industry does not specify a colour for exit signs.

What OSHA incorporates by reference — and which edition

Section 1910.6 lists every outside consensus standard that Part 1910 pulls in, and fixes the edition OSHA will enforce. Because changing that list requires rulemaking, the CFR routinely names an edition that the standards body replaced years or decades ago. This is the single most misunderstood mechanism in OSHA compliance, and the reason "ANSI compliant" and "OSHA compliant" are not synonyms.

OSHA section	What it covers	Edition OSHA names	Current edition
1910.136(b)(1)	Protective footwear	ASTM F-2412-2005 and F-2413-2005; ANSI Z41-1999; ANSI Z41-1991	ASTM F2413-24
1926.96	Construction safety-toe footwear	ANSI Z41.1-1967	ASTM F2413-24
1910.145(d)	Safety colour code for signs	ANSI Z535.1-2006 (R2011)	ANSI Z535.1-2022
1926.200(b)(1), (c)(1)	Construction signs and tags	ANSI Z535.2-2011 and Z535.5-2011	ANSI Z535.2-2023; Z535.5-2022
1910.35	Alternate exit-route compliance	NFPA 101 (2009 edition); International Fire Code (2009 edition)	NFPA 101-2024; IFC 2024
1926.201(a)	Flagger signalling and warning garments	MUTCD Part 6, as incorporated at 1926.6	MUTCD 11th Edition (2023)
1910.151 App. A	First aid kit contents	ANSI Z308.1 — non-mandatory appendix	ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021

Buying to the current edition is normally the right commercial decision — newer editions are almost always more demanding, and equipment certified to them satisfies the older requirement. The trap runs the other way: assuming that because a product meets the current ANSI or ASTM edition, it automatically meets what the CFR asks for. Construction foot protection is the extreme case, where 1926.96 still names a standard withdrawn long ago.

29 CFR 1910 — general industry standards

83 sections, grouped by subpart. Part 1910 applies to general industry: manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, utilities, laboratories and most fixed workplaces.

Section	CFR title	What it requires
Subpart A — General
§ 1910.6	Incorporation by reference	Lists every outside consensus standard that Part 1910 pulls in by reference and fixes the exact edition OSHA enforces. This is why an “ANSI-compliant” product can still be the wrong edition for OSHA — the agency enforces the edition named here, not the current one. On this site: OSHA vs ANSI safety signs
Subpart B — Adoption and Extension of Established Federal Standards
§ 1910.12	Construction work	The section that decides which rulebook you are in. It adopts Part 1926 as the occupational safety and health standards for construction work, and defines construction work as work for construction, alteration and/or repair, including painting and decorating. Every general-industry-versus-construction dispute starts here.
Subpart D — Walking-Working Surfaces
§ 1910.21	Scope and definitions	Sets the scope of the general-industry walking-working-surfaces subpart and defines its terms — including “ladder,” “low-slope roof,” “unprotected side or edge” and “qualified.” It applies to all general industry workplaces unless a specific section says otherwise.
§ 1910.22	General requirements	The general housekeeping and surface-condition duty: workplaces kept clean, orderly and sanitary, floors kept dry where feasible, walking-working surfaces kept free of hazards and able to support their maximum intended load. It is the section behind most wet-floor and clutter citations — note that it does not name a sign, a color, or a marking width. On this site: floor marking colour code standards
§ 1910.23	Ladders	General-industry ladder rules covering portable, fixed and mobile ladder stands. Portable ladders used to reach an upper landing must have side rails extending at least 3 feet above that landing, and fixed-ladder side rails on through or side-step ladders must extend at least 42 inches above the landing. On this site: OSHA ladder requirements
§ 1910.25	Stairways	Covers all general-industry stairways — standard, spiral, ship and alternating-tread — with requirements for load capacity, riser and tread uniformity, handrails and stair rail systems. On this site: OSHA ladder requirements
§ 1910.26	Dockboards	Dockboard requirements: each dockboard must support its maximum intended load, and boards put into service on or after January 17, 2017 must be designed and maintained to prevent transfer equipment from running off the edge. On this site: best dock plates and dock boards
§ 1910.27	Scaffolds and rope descent systems	Covers scaffolds and rope descent systems in general industry. Scaffolds are pushed to the construction rules in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L, while rope descent systems get their own anchorage rule — the building owner must confirm in writing that each anchorage has been identified, tested and certified. On this site: OSHA scaffold requirements
§ 1910.28	Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection	The general-industry duty to provide fall protection, triggered at 4 feet above a lower level — not the 6 feet that applies in construction. It also lists the falling-object protection duty and the exceptions for specific work such as ladder climbing and outdoor advertising. On this site: When Is Fall Protection Required?
§ 1910.29	Fall protection systems and falling object protection—criteria and practices	The specifications the general-industry fall protection systems must meet — guardrails, safety nets, covers, handrails, cages, wells and ladder safety systems. Personal fall protection systems are sent to 1910.140 instead of being specified here. On this site: OSHA guardrail requirements
Subpart E — Exit Routes and Emergency Planning
§ 1910.34	Coverage and definitions	Sets who is covered by the exit-route rules and defines the three parts of an exit route: exit access, exit, and exit discharge. It covers general industry except mobile workplaces such as vehicles and vessels.
§ 1910.35	Compliance with alternate exit-route codes	An employer that complies with the exit-route provisions of NFPA 101 (2009 edition) or the International Fire Code (2009 edition) is deemed to comply with 1910.34, 1910.36 and 1910.37. It is a compliance alternative, not a second set of duties. On this site: OSHA exit sign requirements
§ 1910.36	Design and construction requirements for exit routes	How exit routes must be designed and built — permanent, fire-separated, of adequate number, and discharging directly outside or to a safe space with enough capacity for everyone using them. On this site: OSHA exit sign requirements
§ 1910.37	Maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes	How exit routes must be maintained and marked in service: kept unobstructed and adequately lit, with each exit clearly marked by a sign reading “EXIT.” The rule requires the sign to be distinctive in color — it does not mandate red or green in general industry. On this site: OSHA exit sign requirements
§ 1910.38	Emergency action plans	Requires a written emergency action plan whenever another 1910 standard calls for one, covering reporting, evacuation, accounting for employees, rescue and medical duties, and an alarm system. Employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally. On this site: OSHA emergency action plan requirements
§ 1910.39	Fire prevention plans	Requires a written fire prevention plan wherever another 1910 standard calls for one — a list of major fire hazards, handling and storage procedures, control of ignition sources, and the maintenance of installed fire-control equipment. On this site: OSHA emergency action plan requirements
Subpart F — Powered Platforms, Manlifts, and Vehicle-Mounted Work Platforms
§ 1910.66	Powered platforms for building maintenance	Covers powered platform installations permanently dedicated to building maintenance on a specific structure. It does not reach temporary suspended scaffolds used to service a building on a short-term basis.
§ 1910.67	Vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms	Governs vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms — aerial ladders, articulating and extensible boom platforms, and vertical towers — including the rule that a body belt with a lanyard is worn in an aerial lift for travel restraint. On this site: aerial lift fall protection requirements
Subpart G — Occupational Health and Environmental Control
§ 1910.94	Ventilation	Local exhaust ventilation requirements for abrasive blasting, grinding, polishing, buffing, spray finishing and open-surface tanks. It is the section that puts an abrasive-blasting respirator on the blaster and pushes the fixed-hood and airflow design duties onto the employer. On this site: best respirator cartridges for spray painting
§ 1910.95	Occupational noise exposure	The hearing conservation standard. A hearing conservation program is required at an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA (the action level), while the permissible exposure limit in Table G-16 is 90 dBA on a 5 dB exchange rate. Enrollment is triggered by measured exposure before any credit for hearing protectors. On this site: What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95? Hearing Conservation Explained
§ 1910.97	Nonionizing radiation	Limits worker exposure to radio-frequency and microwave electromagnetic radiation, and specifies the radiation warning symbol. It does not cover ionizing radiation, lasers or ordinary UV.
Subpart H — Hazardous Materials
§ 1910.106	Flammable liquids	The flammable-liquids standard — classification, container and portable-tank limits, storage cabinets and rooms, and the design of tank and dispensing systems. It caps what may be stored in a single approved cabinet and how many cabinets may sit in one area. On this site: OSHA flammable cabinet requirements
§ 1910.107	Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials	Requirements for spray finishing with flammable and combustible materials: spray booth construction, ventilation, ignition-source control and electrical classification of the spray area. On this site: best respirator cartridges for spray painting
§ 1910.119	Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals	Process safety management for facilities holding threshold quantities of highly hazardous chemicals. It requires process hazard analysis, written operating procedures, mechanical integrity, management of change and incident investigation — a program standard, not a PPE standard.
§ 1910.120	Hazardous waste operations and emergency response	HAZWOPER: covers hazardous-waste cleanup, treatment/storage/disposal facility work and emergency response to hazardous-substance releases. It sets the tiered training hours and the first-responder levels that determine who may approach a release and in what PPE. On this site: HazCom vs HAZWOPER
Subpart I — Personal Protective Equipment
§ 1910.132	General requirements	The parent PPE rule. It requires a workplace hazard assessment, a written certification of that assessment, PPE selection matched to the hazard, training with retraining triggers, and — under (h) — employer payment for PPE at no cost to the employee, with narrow exceptions for non-specialty safety-toe footwear and non-specialty prescription eyewear where off-site wear is permitted. On this site: What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132? General PPE Requirements Explained
§ 1910.133	Eye and face protection	Eye and face protection in general industry, including the side-protection duty, the rule that prescription wearers get either protective lenses or over-the-glass protectors, and the filter-lens shade table for welding and cutting. On this site: What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133? Eye and Face Protection Explained
§ 1910.134	Respiratory protection	The respiratory protection standard — and the only PPE section that applies across general industry, shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring and construction alike. It requires a written program, hazard-based selection of NIOSH-approved respirators, medical evaluation before fit testing, annual fit testing, training, and cartridge change schedules based on data rather than odor. On this site: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection Standard
§ 1910.135	Head protection	Head protection: a helmet wherever there is a potential for head injury from falling objects, plus an electrically rated helmet where the head could contact an energized conductor. This is the general-industry counterpart to 1926.100. On this site: What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.135? Head Protection Explained
§ 1910.136	Foot protection	Foot protection where there is a danger of falling or rolling objects, objects piercing the sole, or electrical hazard. Its (b)(1) criteria still incorporate ASTM F-2412-2005 and F-2413-2005 (and the older ANSI Z41-1999 and Z41-1991) — so a boot built to the current ASTM F2413-24 complies through (b)(2)’s equally-effective route, not because the CFR names that edition. On this site: safety footwear standards compared: ASTM vs CSA vs EN ISO
§ 1910.137	Electrical protective equipment	Design, testing and in-service care of rubber insulating equipment — gloves, sleeves, blankets, matting, covers and line hose — including the retest intervals that govern a glove’s time in service. On this site: electrical glove classes and ASTM D120
§ 1910.138	Hand protection	Hand protection selected against the actual hazard — skin absorption, severe cuts, abrasion, puncture, chemical and thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes. The rule names no cut-level scale; the ANSI/ISEA 105 and EN 388 ratings are the market’s answer to it, not OSHA’s. On this site: What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138? General Industry Hand Protection Explained
§ 1910.140	Personal fall protection systems	Performance, care and use criteria for all personal fall protection systems in general industry — personal fall arrest, positioning, and travel restraint. Anchorages must hold at least 5,000 lb per attached employee (or be engineered under a qualified person), and lanyards, lifelines, D-rings, snaphooks and carabiners must have a 5,000 lb minimum breaking or tensile strength. On this site: fall restraint vs fall arrest
Subpart J — General Environmental Controls
§ 1910.141	Sanitation	Workplace sanitation for permanent places of employment: potable water, the toilet-facility count table by number of employees, washing facilities, change rooms, and waste disposal. On this site: OSHA bathroom requirements for workplaces
§ 1910.144	Safety color code for marking physical hazards	The safety color code for marking physical hazards — red for fire protection equipment, danger and emergency stops, and yellow for caution and physical hazards such as striking, stumbling, falling, tripping and catching. It marks hazards; it does not govern signs, which is 1910.145. On this site: floor marking colour code standards
§ 1910.145	Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags	Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags. Paragraph (c) names exactly three sign classes — Danger, Caution and Safety Instruction (there is no “Warning” sign here), while (f) covers accident prevention tags, where a Warning tag does exist. On this site: OSHA safety sign requirements
§ 1910.146	Permit-required confined spaces	The permit-required confined space standard for general industry: identifying permit spaces, the entry permit, atmospheric testing, and the entrant / attendant / entry supervisor roles with rescue and retrieval duties. It expressly does not apply to construction, agriculture or shipyard employment. On this site: permit-required confined space requirements
§ 1910.147	The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)	Lockout/tagout — energy control procedures, devices and periodic inspection for servicing and maintenance where unexpected energization could injure. Its minor servicing exception applies only when the work is routine, repetitive and integral to production and effective alternative protection is in place; it is never a blanket exemption. On this site: What Is Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)?
Subpart K — Medical and First Aid
§ 1910.151	Medical services and first aid	The general-industry medical services and first aid rule. Where no infirmary, clinic or hospital is in near proximity, someone must be adequately trained to render first aid and adequate supplies must be readily available; (c) requires quick-drenching or flushing facilities within the work area wherever eyes or body may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials. Its Appendix A, which points to ANSI Z308.1, is non-mandatory. On this site: OSHA first aid kit requirements
Subpart L — Fire Protection
§ 1910.157	Portable fire extinguishers	Portable fire extinguisher placement, use, maintenance and testing — mounting and accessibility, the travel-distance limits by hazard class, annual maintenance checks, and the training an employer owes anyone expected to use one. On this site: What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157? Portable Fire Extinguisher Requirements Explained
§ 1910.165	Employee alarm systems	Requirements for employee alarm systems installed to satisfy another OSHA standard: a distinctive signal, perceivable above ambient conditions, tested on a set schedule and backed up where the system is not supervised. On this site: OSHA emergency action plan requirements
Subpart N — Materials Handling and Storage
§ 1910.176	Handling materials—general	Materials handling generally — safe clearances at aisles, docks and doorways, secure storage, and housekeeping. Paragraph (a) is the source of the duty that permanent aisles and passageways be appropriately marked; it specifies no color, width or material, so “OSHA requires yellow aisle lines” is not what the rule says. On this site: floor marking colour code standards
§ 1910.178	Powered industrial trucks	Powered industrial trucks — forklifts, order pickers and similar equipment. It covers design and approval by truck type, the fuel and atmosphere restrictions on where each type may run, and the operator training, evaluation and three-year re-evaluation cycle. On this site: how to use a pallet jack
Subpart O — Machinery and Machine Guarding
§ 1910.212	General requirements for all machines	The catch-all machine guarding duty: one or more guarding methods protecting operators and bystanders from point-of-operation, nip-point, rotating-part and flying-chip hazards, with guards affixed to the machine where possible. On this site: machine hazard warning labels
§ 1910.213	Woodworking machinery requirements	Woodworking machinery — guarding for saws, jointers, planers, shapers and sanders, plus construction, feed and hood requirements specific to each machine type. On this site: how to turn wood on a lathe safely
§ 1910.215	Abrasive wheel machinery	Abrasive wheel machinery: safety guards, work rests set within 1/8 inch of the wheel, adjustable tongue guards, and the ring test and speed limits governing wheel mounting. On this site: how to use a bench grinder safely
Subpart P — Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand-Held Equipment
§ 1910.242	Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general	Makes the employer responsible for the safe condition of all tools used by employees — including tools the employee supplies — and limits compressed air used for cleaning to under 30 psi with effective chip guarding and PPE.
§ 1910.243	Guarding of portable powered tools	Guarding for portable powered tools: circular-saw upper and lower guards, guarding on portable grinders and sanders, and the constant-pressure controls required on certain hand-held power tools. On this site: how to use an angle grinder safely
Subpart Q — Welding, Cutting and Brazing
§ 1910.252	General requirements	The general welding, cutting and brazing rule — fire prevention and permit duties, protection of personnel, ventilation thresholds by metal and space, and the health protection provisions for fluorine, zinc, lead, beryllium, cadmium and mercury work. On this site: what OSHA 1910.252 requires for welding, cutting and brazing
§ 1910.253	Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting	Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting: cylinder storage and separation, manifold and piping design, hose and torch condition, and the rules on handling acetylene and oxygen safely. On this site: chemical and gas cylinder storage signs
§ 1910.254	Arc welding and cutting	Arc welding and cutting in general industry — equipment selection and installation, supply-circuit and cable requirements, electrode holder and workpiece connection rules, and the operator and maintenance duties for arc welding machines.
§ 1910.255	Resistance welding	Resistance welding — spot, seam and projection welding. Installation by a qualified electrician, safety-type disconnecting means, guarding of the point of operation, interlocks on doors and panels, and the stop buttons and control requirements for each machine class.
Subpart R — Special Industries
§ 1910.261	Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills	Pulp, paper and paperboard mill safety — machine, chemical, steam and confined-space provisions specific to mill processes, plus the consensus standards that subpart incorporates. On this site: pipe marker requirements and ASME A13.1
§ 1910.262	Textiles	Textile industry safety covering the design, installation, operation and maintenance of textile machinery and plant facilities. On this site: pipe marker requirements and ASME A13.1
§ 1910.266	Logging operations	Logging operations — a self-contained standard with its own PPE, first-aid kit, seat belt, fire extinguisher, chain saw and felling requirements. It is also the source of the logging-boot exception in the 1910.132(h) payment rules. On this site: how to use a chainsaw safely
§ 1910.269	Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution	Electric power generation, transmission and distribution work — host/contractor information exchange, minimum approach distances, arc-flash hazard assessment and the arc-rated clothing duty for qualified employees.
Subpart S — Electrical
§ 1910.303	General	General electrical installation requirements: equipment must be approved and free of recognized hazards, installed per its listing, marked, and given adequate working space and clearance.
§ 1910.304	Wiring design and protection	Wiring design and protection — conductor identification, grounding, ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection and overcurrent protection in general industry installations.
§ 1910.305	Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use	Wiring methods, components and equipment for general use — cable and raceway use, box and fitting requirements, flexible cord limits, and the rules for temporary wiring.
§ 1910.307	Hazardous (classified) locations	Electrical requirements for hazardous (classified) locations, where flammable vapors, liquids, gases, combustible dust or ignitable fibers may be present. It sets the class, division and zone framework that dictates equipment selection. On this site: intrinsically safe vs explosion proof lighting
§ 1910.332	Training	Electrical safety training for employees facing a shock risk that the installation rules do not remove, and the Table S-4 list of occupations presumed to face that risk. On this site: establishing an electrically safe work condition
§ 1910.333	Selection and use of work practices	Selection and use of electrical work practices — the deenergize-first rule, the lockout/tagout procedures for electrical work, and the approach-distance limits for work near energized parts. Its Table S-5 covers overhead power lines only and is not a general 70E-style boundary table. On this site: establishing an electrically safe work condition
§ 1910.334	Use of equipment	Use of electrical equipment — cord- and plug-connected equipment handling, visual inspection before use, and the grounding-path and GFCI conditions for portable equipment.
§ 1910.335	Safeguards for personnel protection	Safeguards for personnel protection: electrical protective equipment matched to the body part and hazard, insulated tools, and the alerting techniques — safety signs, barricades and attendants — used near energized parts.
§ 1910.399	Definitions applicable to this subpart	Definitions for the electrical subpart, including “acceptable,” “approved,” “qualified person” and the nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) listing concept. On this site: best intrinsically safe flashlights
Subpart Z — Toxic and Hazardous Substances
§ 1910.1000	Air contaminants	The air contaminants standard. Exposure to any substance in Tables Z-1, Z-2 or Z-3 must be held within the limit shown, and the section supplies the computation rules for 8-hour time-weighted averages, ceiling values and mixtures. Most of the PELs date from 1971 and are far weaker than current ACGIH TLVs. On this site: how Table Z and the PEL math work
§ 1910.1001	Asbestos	The general-industry asbestos standard — 0.1 f/cc 8-hour PEL, exposure monitoring, regulated areas, respirator and clothing requirements, and medical surveillance. It expressly does not cover construction work, which is 1926.1101. On this site: the four asbestos work classes of 1926.1101
§ 1910.1017	Vinyl chloride	The vinyl chloride standard: exposure limits, monitoring, regulated areas, respiratory protection and medical surveillance for the manufacture, handling or use of vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride.
§ 1910.1018	Inorganic arsenic	The inorganic arsenic standard — a 10 µg/m³ 8-hour PEL with a 5 µg/m³ action level, exposure monitoring, regulated areas, respiratory protection, hygiene facilities and medical surveillance. It does not reach agricultural or pesticide-application exposures.
§ 1910.1020	Access to employee exposure and medical records	Gives employees and their designated representatives a right of access to their own exposure and medical records, and sets the retention periods employers must observe — the rule behind most exposure-record requests.
§ 1910.1024	Beryllium	The general-industry beryllium standard — a 0.2 µg/m³ 8-hour PEL and 2.0 µg/m³ short-term limit, with exposure assessment, regulated areas, respiratory protection, hygiene and medical surveillance. On this site: best N99 and N100 disposable respirators
§ 1910.1025	Lead	The general-industry lead standard: 50 µg/m³ 8-hour PEL, a 30 µg/m³ action level, blood-lead monitoring and medical removal protection, plus hygiene facilities. It does not apply to construction, which is 1926.62. On this site: OSHA lead standards compared: 1926.62 vs 1910.1025
§ 1910.1026	Chromium (VI)	The hexavalent chromium standard for general industry — a 5 µg/m³ PEL and 2.5 µg/m³ action level with exposure determination, regulated areas, respiratory protection and medical surveillance. Welding on stainless steel is the most common trigger. On this site: welding fume exposure limits
§ 1910.1027	Cadmium	The cadmium standard — a 5 µg/m³ PEL with exposure monitoring, a written compliance program, respiratory protection, hygiene areas and biological monitoring of cadmium in urine and blood. On this site: when does OSHA require a respirator
§ 1910.1028	Benzene	The benzene standard: 1 ppm 8-hour PEL, 5 ppm STEL, 0.5 ppm action level, with regulated areas, respiratory protection and medical surveillance including periodic blood counts. On this site: how to use solvents and degreasers safely
§ 1910.1030	Bloodborne pathogens	The bloodborne pathogens standard. It requires a written exposure control plan reviewed annually, universal precautions, engineering and work-practice controls including sharps with engineered protections, PPE at no cost, the hepatitis B vaccine offered within 10 working days of assignment, post-exposure follow-up and a sharps injury log. On this site: OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard
§ 1910.1047	Ethylene oxide	The ethylene oxide standard — 1 ppm 8-hour PEL, 5 ppm excursion limit, 0.5 ppm action level, with monitoring, regulated areas, emergency plans and medical surveillance.
§ 1910.1048	Formaldehyde	The formaldehyde standard: 0.75 ppm 8-hour PEL, 2 ppm STEL, 0.5 ppm action level, with monitoring, regulated areas, respiratory and skin protection, hazard communication and medical surveillance. On this site: best respirator cartridge for formaldehyde
§ 1910.1050	Methylenedianiline	The methylenedianiline (MDA) standard, covering exposure limits, monitoring, regulated areas, respiratory and skin protection, and medical surveillance for liver effects.
§ 1910.1052	Methylene chloride	The methylene chloride standard — 25 ppm 8-hour PEL, 125 ppm STEL, 12.5 ppm action level — with exposure monitoring, regulated areas, respiratory protection and medical surveillance. On this site: how to use chemical paint strippers safely
§ 1910.1053	Respirable crystalline silica	The general-industry respirable crystalline silica standard: a 50 µg/m³ 8-hour PEL, 25 µg/m³ action level, written exposure control plan, respiratory protection and medical surveillance. Construction silica is a separate rule with its own control table — 1926.1153. On this site: what OSHA 1910.1053 requires for silica in general industry
§ 1910.1200	Hazard communication	Hazard communication — the GHS-aligned rule requiring chemical classification, labels with signal word, pictogram, hazard and precautionary statements, 16-section safety data sheets, a chemical inventory, a written program, and employee training before assignment. On this site: OSHA HazCom program requirements
§ 1910.1450	Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories	The laboratory standard: for lab-scale chemical use, a written Chemical Hygiene Plan and a Chemical Hygiene Officer replace most of the substance-specific Subpart Z program requirements, though the PELs still apply.

29 CFR 1926 — construction standards

51 sections, grouped by subpart. Part 1926 applies to construction work — construction, alteration and repair, including painting and decorating — as defined at 29 CFR 1910.12(b).

Section	CFR title	What it requires
Subpart A — General
§ 1926.6	Incorporation by reference	The construction counterpart to 1910.6 — the list of outside consensus standards Part 1926 incorporates, and the edition of each that OSHA enforces. Only the mandatory provisions of an incorporated standard are adopted, which is why guidance text inside an ANSI document is not itself enforceable.
Subpart C — General Safety and Health Provisions
§ 1926.28	Personal protective equipment	Makes the construction employer responsible for requiring appropriate PPE wherever there is exposure to hazardous conditions, or where 1926 Subpart C indicates a need to reduce hazards. It is the general PPE duty that sits behind the specific Subpart E sections. On this site: Construction Site PPE
§ 1926.32	Definitions	The definitions that govern all of Part 1926 — including the widely cited definitions of competent person (able to identify hazards and authorized to correct them) and qualified person. On this site: competent person vs qualified person in fall protection
Subpart D — Occupational Health and Environmental Controls
§ 1926.50	Medical services and first aid	Construction medical services and first aid. Where no infirmary, clinic, hospital or physician is reasonably accessible in terms of time and distance, a person holding a valid first-aid certificate must be at the worksite — a stricter credential than 1910.151(b)’s “adequately trained.” Kits must be weatherproof with individually sealed packages and checked before each job and at least weekly. On this site: first aid kits for construction sites
§ 1926.52	Occupational noise exposure	Construction noise exposure. Table D-2 sets the permissible durations — 90 dBA for 8 hours on a 5 dB exchange rate — and requires a continuing, effective hearing conservation program where those levels are exceeded. Construction has no 85 dBA action level equivalent to 1910.95. On this site: OSHA noise exposure limits
§ 1926.55	Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists	Limits construction exposure to the gases, vapors, fumes, dusts and mists listed in the section’s tables, and requires feasible administrative or engineering controls before respirators are relied on. On this site: OSHA carbon monoxide monitoring requirements
§ 1926.56	Illumination	Table D-3 sets minimum illumination intensities in foot-candles by area: 3 for general construction areas, concrete placement and excavation; 5 for general construction area lighting, indoor warehouses and corridors, and tunnels and shafts; 10 for construction plants and shops; and 30 for first aid stations, infirmaries and offices. On this site: best work lights
§ 1926.62	Lead	The construction lead standard — 50 µg/m³ PEL and 30 µg/m³ action level, with the presumed-exposure trigger tasks that require interim protection until monitoring proves otherwise, plus blood-lead monitoring and medical removal. On this site: OSHA lead standards compared: 1926.62 vs 1910.1025
§ 1926.65	Hazardous waste operations and emergency response	HAZWOPER as it applies to construction, mirroring 1910.120 for hazardous-waste operations and emergency response. On this site: HazCom vs HAZWOPER
Subpart E — Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment
§ 1926.95	Criteria for personal protective equipment	The construction PPE criteria section — PPE provided, used and maintained in sanitary and reliable condition, employee-owned equipment still the employer’s responsibility to assure adequacy, and (d) employer payment for PPE mirroring 1910.132(h). On this site: Construction Site PPE
§ 1926.96	Occupational foot protection	Construction foot protection — and the clearest example of a frozen incorporation by reference on the books: it still requires safety-toe footwear meeting ANSI Z41.1-1967, a standard withdrawn decades ago, while general industry’s 1910.136 was updated to the ASTM F-2412/F-2413 series. On this site: when do you need safety toe boots
§ 1926.97	Electrical protective equipment	Design, testing and in-service care of electrical protective equipment in construction — the construction counterpart to 1910.137 for rubber insulating gloves, sleeves, blankets and line hose.
§ 1926.100	Head protection	Construction head protection: helmets wherever there is possible danger of head injury from impact, falling or flying objects, or electrical shock and burns. It is the construction counterpart to 1910.135. On this site: What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1926.100? Head Protection in Construction Explained
§ 1926.101	Hearing protection	Construction hearing protection. Where it is not feasible to reduce noise to the 1926.52 Table D-2 levels, ear protective devices must be provided and used — and the rule requires them to be individually fitted or determined by a competent person. On this site: how to choose hearing protection
§ 1926.102	Eye and face protection	Construction eye and face protection, including the side-protection duty, the prescription-wearer options, and filter-lens shade numbers for welding, cutting and brazing operations. On this site: What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133? Eye and Face Protection Explained
§ 1926.103	Respiratory protection	Construction respiratory protection — a one-line section whose entire content is a note that the requirements are identical to 29 CFR 1910.134. There is no separate construction respirator program standard. On this site: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.103 Construction Respiratory Protection
§ 1926.107	Definitions applicable to this subpart	Definitions for the construction PPE subpart, including “lanyard,” “lifeline,” “safety belt” and “contaminant.”
Subpart F — Fire Protection and Prevention
§ 1926.152	Flammable liquids	Flammable liquids in construction — approved containers and portable tanks, safety cans, indoor and outdoor storage limits, and dispensing and service-and-refueling requirements. On this site: OSHA flammable cabinet requirements
Subpart G — Signs, Signals, and Barricades
§ 1926.200	Accident prevention signs and tags	Construction accident prevention signs and tags. Signs must be visible whenever the hazard exists and removed promptly when it does not; (d) requires exit signs lettered in legible red letters not less than 6 inches high on a white field, with principal strokes at least three-fourths inch wide. On this site: OSHA safety sign requirements
§ 1926.201	Signaling	Construction signaling. Flagger signaling and flagger warning garments must conform to Part 6 of the MUTCD, incorporated by reference — which is why hi-vis apparel for road work is specified by the MUTCD rather than by an OSHA class table. On this site: When Does OSHA Require High Visibility?
Subpart I — Tools—Hand and Power
§ 1926.303	Abrasive wheels and tools	Abrasive wheels and tools in construction — guarding, adequate spindle power, work rest and tongue guard clearances, and the ring test before mounting a wheel. On this site: how to use an angle grinder safely
Subpart J — Welding and Cutting
§ 1926.350	Gas welding and cutting	Gas welding and cutting in construction — cylinder transport, movement and storage with valve protection caps secured, separation of fuel gas and oxygen, hose and torch condition, regulator and manifold requirements, and the rule that cylinders are never lifted by the cap.
§ 1926.351	Arc welding and cutting	Arc welding and cutting: electrode holder and cable condition, grounding of the work lead, and the rules on leaving electrodes in holders and on removing damaged cable from service. On this site: what OSHA 1910.252 requires for welding, cutting and brazing
§ 1926.354	Welding, cutting, and heating in way of preservative coatings	Welding, cutting and heating on surfaces covered by a preservative coating — the coating’s flammability must be determined first, and where it is toxic the coating must be stripped back or respiratory protection used. This is the lead-paint and coating-fume trap in construction hot work.
Subpart K — Electrical
§ 1926.404	Wiring design and protection	Construction wiring design and protection — conductor identification and grounding, and the GFCI-or-assured-equipment-grounding-conductor-program choice that governs temporary power on every construction site. On this site: OSHA extension cord requirements
§ 1926.405	Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use	Construction wiring methods, components and equipment — temporary wiring, cabinets and boxes, flexible cords and cables, and the rules on cords run through doorways or fastened to structures. On this site: extension cord gauge chart
§ 1926.417	Lockout and tagging of circuits	Lockout and tagging of circuits in construction — controls tagged when deactivated, equipment and circuits rendered inoperative with tags at the disconnect, and tags removed only by the person who applied them. On this site: how to perform lockout/tagout
§ 1926.441	Batteries and battery charging	Batteries and battery charging — ventilation for unsealed batteries, protection against electrolyte spillage, eye and body flushing facilities in the charging area, and prohibitions on smoking and open flames. On this site: how to handle a car battery safely
Subpart L — Scaffolds
§ 1926.451	General requirements	The general scaffold standard — each scaffold and component capable of supporting its own weight plus at least 4 times the maximum intended load (suspension ropes and their connecting hardware, 6 times), platform construction and decking, access, fall protection and falling-object protection. It expressly does not cover aerial lifts, which are 1926.453. On this site: OSHA scaffold requirements
§ 1926.452	Additional requirements applicable to specific types of scaffolds	The additional requirements that apply to each specific scaffold type — pole, tube-and-coupler, fabricated frame, mobile, suspension, mast-climbing and others — layered on top of 1926.451. On this site: OSHA scaffold requirements
§ 1926.453	Aerial lifts	Aerial lifts — extensible and articulating boom platforms, aerial ladders, vertical towers and ladder trucks. It requires a body belt with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket for travel restraint, and prohibits belting off to an adjacent structure while working from the platform. On this site: aerial lift fall protection requirements
Subpart M — Fall Protection
§ 1926.500	Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart	Sets the scope of construction fall protection and defines its terms — anchorage, deceleration distance, leading edge, low-slope roof, personal fall arrest system and more. On this site: When Is Fall Protection Required?
§ 1926.501	Duty to have fall protection	The construction duty to have fall protection, triggered at 6 feet above a lower level — with its own thresholds for specific work: leading edges, hoist areas, holes, ramps and runways, excavations, roofing, precast erection, wall openings and residential construction. On this site: OSHA roofing fall protection requirements
§ 1926.502	Fall protection systems criteria and practices	The criteria the construction fall protection systems must meet. Guardrails must withstand at least a 200 lb force at the top edge; personal fall arrest D-rings and snaphooks need a 5,000 lb minimum tensile strength and 3,600 lb proof test; and safety-net border rope must break no lower than 5,000 lb. On this site: fall protection anchor requirements
§ 1926.503	Training requirements	Construction fall protection training — a competent-person-led program covering the nature of fall hazards, correct erection and use of each system, and a written certification record with retraining triggers. On this site: competent person vs qualified person in fall protection
Subpart O — Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment, and Marine Operations
§ 1926.600	Equipment	General requirements for construction motor vehicles and mechanized equipment — lights or reflectors on unattended equipment near roadways, the rule that equipment be secured when not in use, and the requirements for working near energized lines. On this site: wheel chock selection guide
Subpart P — Excavations
§ 1926.651	Specific excavation requirements	Specific excavation requirements — surface encumbrances, underground utility location, access and egress within 25 feet of lateral travel in trenches 4 feet or deeper, hazardous-atmosphere testing, water accumulation and daily competent-person inspections. On this site: When Does OSHA Require High Visibility?
Subpart R — Steel Erection
§ 1926.759	Falling object protection	Steel erection falling-object protection: loose items secured against accidental displacement while aloft, and the overhead protection and restricted-access requirements below erection work.
§ 1926.760	Fall protection	Steel erection fall protection — the trade-specific rule that sets a 15-foot trigger for most steel erection work and 30 feet for connectors, with the controlled decking zone as a limited alternative. On this site: When Is Fall Protection Required?
Subpart T — Demolition
§ 1926.850	Preparatory operations	Demolition preparatory operations — a competent-person engineering survey of the structure before work begins, utility shutoff, and protection of any remaining walls, floors and openings. On this site: how to do interior demolition safely
Subpart V — Electric Power Transmission and Distribution
§ 1926.955	Portable ladders and platforms	Portable ladders and platforms used in electric power transmission and distribution work, layered on top of the general construction ladder rules in Subpart X.
Subpart X — Stairways and Ladders
§ 1926.1050	Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart	The scope and definitions for construction stairways and ladders, covering all such equipment used in construction, alteration, repair, painting, decorating and demolition.
§ 1926.1052	Stairways	Construction stairways — landings, riser and tread uniformity, handrail and stairrail systems, and the requirement for stairs or ladders at every break in elevation of 19 inches or more where no ramp or runway is provided.
§ 1926.1053	Ladders	Construction ladders. Self-supporting and non-self-supporting portable ladders must sustain at least four times the maximum intended load (3.3 times for extra-heavy-duty Type IA metal or plastic), with non-self-supporting ladders tested at 75½ degrees from horizontal — the 4-to-1 pitch expressed as an angle. Fixed ladders must carry two 250 lb concentrated loads. On this site: OSHA ladder requirements
§ 1926.1060	Training requirements	Construction ladder and stairway training — a competent-person program covering fall hazards, correct erection, use and inspection, the maximum intended load, and retraining when conditions change. On this site: OSHA ladder requirements
Subpart Z — Toxic and Hazardous Substances
§ 1926.1101	Asbestos	The construction asbestos standard — the four-class system (Class I through IV) that scales controls to the work performed, with a 0.1 f/cc PEL, a 1 f/cc 30-minute excursion limit, regulated areas, negative-exposure assessments and competent-person oversight. On this site: the four asbestos work classes of 1926.1101
§ 1926.1124	Beryllium	The construction hexavalent chromium standard, mirroring 1910.1026’s 5 µg/m³ PEL and 2.5 µg/m³ action level for construction work.
§ 1926.1126	Chromium (VI)	The construction chromium (VI) provisions applying the Cr(VI) exposure limits, monitoring and protective measures to construction operations such as welding and coating removal.
§ 1926.1153	Respirable crystalline silica	The construction respirable crystalline silica standard — built around Table 1, which pairs 18 common tasks with specified engineering controls and respirator requirements. Follow Table 1 fully and no exposure assessment is required; step outside it and the alternative exposure control method with a 50 µg/m³ PEL applies. On this site: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 Silica Standard
Subpart AA — Confined Spaces in Construction
§ 1926.1203	General requirements	Construction confined spaces: before work begins, a competent person must identify all confined spaces at the site and determine which are permit spaces. This is the construction analogue to 1910.146 and the two rules differ in important ways. On this site: permit-required confined space requirements
§ 1926.1204	Permit-required confined space program	The construction permit-required confined space program — what each entry employer must implement, from preventing unauthorized entry through hazard evaluation, atmospheric testing, permits, and rescue arrangements. On this site: permit-required confined space requirements

Frequently asked questions

How many OSHA standards are there in 29 CFR 1910 and 1926?

29 CFR 1910 (general industry) contains 188 active numbered sections across 21 active subparts, and 29 CFR 1926 (construction) contains 291 across 28 — 479 in total, counted from the eCFR structure for Title 29 as it stood on 1 August 2026. This index covers the 134 of them that carry a practical equipment or programme duty for the trades this site researches.

What is the difference between 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926?

1910 is the general industry standard and 1926 is the construction standard. They are separate rulebooks, not one rulebook with an addendum: some duties appear in both with different numbers and different thresholds, some appear in only one, and a handful (like respiratory protection) are written once and cross-referenced. The crosswalk table above pairs the 16 duties that most often get confused.

Does OSHA 1910 apply to construction work?

Generally no — construction work is governed by 1926, and 29 CFR 1910.12 says so directly. There are exceptions in both directions: 1910.134 explicitly applies to construction, and several 1926 sections point back into 1910. Applying a general industry threshold to a construction site is one of the most common compliance errors, and the 4 ft versus 6 ft fall protection trigger is the classic example.

At what height does OSHA require fall protection?

It depends which rulebook applies. In general industry, 1910.28 triggers at 4 feet above a lower level. In construction, 1926.501 triggers at 6 feet, with its own separate thresholds for scaffolds, steel erection and residential work. Neither figure is universal, which is why 'OSHA says six feet' is only half true.

What does 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) mean?

Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926 (construction), section 501, paragraph (b)(1) — the unprotected-sides-and-edges rule. The paragraph level is where the actual requirement lives and where a citation is written; the decode table above breaks each element down.

Which OSHA standard covers PPE?

What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132? General PPE Requirements Explained is the parent rule for general industry, with the equipment-specific sections 1910.133 through 1910.140 beneath it. Construction uses 1926.28 and 1926.95 as the general duty, with 1926.96 through 1926.107 for specific equipment.

Does OSHA require employers to pay for PPE?

Yes, under 1910.132(h) and its construction counterpart 1926.95(d), PPE used to comply with the standards must be provided at no cost to the employee. The exceptions are narrow: non-specialty safety-toe footwear and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear, and only where the employer permits them to be worn off site. Everyday clothing and ordinary work boots are never covered.

Why does OSHA reference outdated versions of ANSI and ASTM standards?

Because incorporation by reference freezes an edition. 1910.6 names the exact edition OSHA enforces, and updating it requires rulemaking — so the CFR keeps naming an edition long after the standards body has moved on. The frozen-edition table above lists the seven that matter most, including construction foot protection, which still names a 1967 standard.

Is ANSI compliance the same as OSHA compliance?

No. Most ANSI standards are voluntary consensus documents with no legal force of their own. They become enforceable only where OSHA incorporates them by reference, and then only in the edition OSHA named. A product certified to the current ANSI edition may not match the edition the CFR points at — and the reverse is also true, which is why buying to the newer edition is normally the safer choice.

What are the current OSHA penalty amounts?

For violations assessed after 15 January 2026, the maximum is $16,550 per serious, other-than-serious or posting violation, $16,550 per day beyond the abatement date for failure to abate, and $165,514 per wilful or repeated violation. These are ceilings; the proposed penalty on an actual citation is adjusted for employer size, good faith and history.

Which OSHA standard has the most citations?

OSHA publishes an annual Top 10 most-cited list. Fall protection (1926.501) has led it for more than a decade, with hazard communication (1910.1200), ladders (1926.1053), respiratory protection (1910.134) and lockout/tagout (1910.147) recurring near the top. Every one of those five is indexed on this page.

Where can I read the full text of an OSHA standard?

Every section number in the tables above links to that standard's page on osha.gov. The complete codified text also sits on eCFR, which is the authoritative continuously-updated version, and this index was built against the eCFR content API rather than a secondary summary.

What is a subpart in an OSHA standard?

A lettered thematic grouping of sections within a part — Subpart I of 1910 is Personal Protective Equipment, Subpart M of 1926 is Fall Protection. Section numbers run continuously through the whole part rather than restarting at each subpart, so the letter is a navigational aid rather than part of the citation.

Does OSHA require a written program?

For some standards, yes, and the list is longer than most employers expect. Written programmes are required by 1910.134 (respiratory protection), 1910.1200 (hazard communication), 1910.147 (energy control procedures), 1910.1030 (exposure control plan), 1910.146 (permit space programme) and 1910.38 (emergency action plan), among others. 1910.132(d)(2) requires a written certification of the PPE hazard assessment, which is a document rather than a programme but is cited just as often.

What is the OSHA General Duty Clause and when does it apply?

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act requires each employer to furnish a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. It is not part of 29 CFR and appears nowhere in this index, because it is what OSHA reaches for when no specific standard covers the hazard — workplace heat and most ergonomic hazards being the common examples.

Which OSHA standards apply to a warehouse?

Warehouses are general industry, so 1910 governs. The sections that come up most are 1910.22 (walking-working surfaces), 1910.176 (materials handling and aisle marking), 1910.178 (powered industrial trucks), 1910.157 (fire extinguishers), 1910.37 (exit routes) and 1910.132 (PPE). All six are indexed above.

Does OSHA require yellow lines around aisles?

No. 1910.176(a) requires that permanent aisles and passageways be 'appropriately marked' and specifies no colour, width or material. Yellow is the convention because 1910.144 makes yellow the colour for caution and physical hazards — but that is a colour code for marking hazards, not an aisle-marking mandate.

How often does OSHA update its standards?

Irregularly, and far more slowly than the consensus standards it references. Substantive changes require notice-and-comment rulemaking published in the Federal Register. Several sections in this index still carry their original 1971 text, and Table Z-1 in 1910.1000 is the best-known example — most of those permissible exposure limits are more than five decades old and are far weaker than current ACGIH threshold limit values.