Does "Subpart A - Scope and Definitions" Apply to You?

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(i) - abrasive blasting, you need to comply with the abrasive blasting paragraph (a) of the general industry ventilation standard. By definition, abrasive blasting is the forcible application of an abrasive to a surface by pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, or centrifugal force and abrasive is a solid substance used in an abrasive blasting operation. 

Paragraph (a) requires complying with subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances when respirable dust or fume are in the breathing zone of the abrasive-blasting operator or any other worker and complying with the referenced consensus standards (also see incorporation by reference). In addition, it provides requirements pertaining to blast-cleaning enclosures, exhaust ventilation systems, personal protective equipment, and operational procedures and general safety. Note: This standard does not apply to steam blasting, or steam cleaning, or hydraulic cleaning methods where work is done without the aid of abrasives. Also reference prohibited operations in Subpart G - Related Terminal Operations and Equipment. 

More related information can be found on our A-Z safety and health topics pages for abrasive blasting, personal protective equipment, hierarchy of controls and respiratory protection. 

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(ii) - access to employee exposure and medical records, you need to comply with the general industry standard for access to employee exposure and medical records. It applies to all employee exposure and medical records, and analyses thereof, of such employees, whether or not the records are mandated by specific occupational safety and health standards.

It is applicable to each general industry, maritime, and construction employer who makes, maintains, contracts for, or has access to employee exposure or medical records, or analyses thereof, pertaining to employees exposed to toxic substances or harmful physical agents.  This standard applies to all employee exposure and medical records, and analyses thereof, made or maintained in any manner, including on an in-house or contractual (e.g., fee-for-service) basis.

This standard provides requirements for the preservation of records as follows: medical records for each employee shall be preserved and maintained for at least the duration of employment plus thirty (30) years and employee exposure records shall be preserved and maintained for at least thirty (30) years. It provides requirements pertaining to record access, trade secrets, employee information, and transfer of records. The appendices cover the following: appendix A provides a sample authorization letter for the release of employee medical record information to a designated representative and appendix B pertains to the availability of NIOSH registry of toxic effects of chemical substances (RTECS).

This standard also provides definitions such as:

Exposure or exposed means that an employee is subjected to a toxic substance or harmful physical agent in the course of employment through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or absorption, etc.), and includes past exposure and potential (e.g., accidental or possible) exposure, but does not include situations where the employer can demonstrate that the toxic substance or harmful physical agent is not used, handled, stored, generated, or present in the workplace in any manner different from typical non-occupational situations.

Employee exposure record means a record containing any of the following kinds of information:

• Environmental (workplace) monitoring or measuring of a toxic substance or harmful physical agent, including personal, area, grab, wipe, or other form of sampling, as well as related collection and analytical methodologies, calculations, and other background data relevant to interpretation of the results obtained;
• Biological monitoring results which directly assess the absorption of a toxic substance or harmful physical agent by body systems (e.g., the level of a chemical in the blood, urine, breath, hair, fingernails, etc.) but not including results which assess the biological effect of a substance or agent or which assess an employee's use of alcohol or drugs;
• (Material) safety data sheets indicating that the material may pose a hazard to human health; or
• In the absence of the above, a chemical inventory or any other record which reveals where and when used and the identity (e.g., chemical, common, or trade name) of a toxic substance or harmful physical agent.

Employee medical record means a record concerning the health status of an employee which is made or maintained by a physician, nurse, or other health care personnel, or technician, including:

• Medical and employment questionnaires or histories (including job description and occupational exposures),
• The results of medical examinations (pre-employment, pre-assignment, periodic, or episodic) and laboratory tests (including chest and other X-ray examinations taken for the purpose of establishing a base-line or detecting occupational illnesses and all biological monitoring not defined as an "employee exposure record"),
• Medical opinions, diagnoses, progress notes, and recommendations,
• First aid records,
• Descriptions of treatments and prescriptions, and
• Employee medical complaints.

More related information can be found on our A-Z safety and health topics page for recording and reporting, medical services and first aid and hierarchy of controls.

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(iii) - commercial diving operations, you need to comply with subpart T of the general industry standards. Subpart T provides the requirements for commercial diving operations and applies to diving and related support operations that are conducted in connection with all types of work and employments, including general industry, construction, ship repairing, shipbuilding, shipbreaking and longshoring. This standard does not apply to any diving operation:

• Performed solely for instructional purposes, using open-circuit, compressed-air SCUBA and conducted within the no-decompression limits;
• Performed solely for search, rescue, or related public safety purposes by or under the control of a governmental agency; or
• Governed by 45 CFR Part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) or equivalent rules or regulations established by another federal agency, which regulate research, development, or related purposes involving human subjects.

This subpart provides applicable definitions along with the following requirements for commercial diving operations:

• Qualifications of dive team;
• Safe practices manual;
• Pre-dive procedures;
• Procedures during dive;
• Post-dive procedures;
• SCUBA diving;
• Surface-supplied air diving;
• Mixed-gas diving;
• Liveboarding;
• Equipment;
• Recordkeeping requirements.

To learn more about the standards in subpart T, go to the webpage Does "Subpart T - Commercial Diving Operations" Apply to you?. Additional related best practice information for non-commercial diving operations can be found in our publication, A Guide to Public Safety Diving.

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(iv) - electrical, you need to comply with the following standards in subpart S of the general industry standards. Most employers have buildings, structures and/or other premises that have electrical installations and utilization equipment installed or used within them and are covered under electric utilization systems. This includes:

• Yards;
• Carnivals;
• Parking and other lots; 
• Mobile homes; 
• Recreational vehicles; 
• Industrial substations; 
• Conductors that connect the installations to a supply of electricity; and
• Other outside conductors on the premises.

This section (design safety standards) does not apply to:

• Installations in ships, watercraft, railway rolling stock, aircraft, or automotive vehicles other than mobile homes and recreational vehicles; 
• Installations underground in mines; 
• Installations of railways for generation, transformation, transmission, or distribution of power used exclusively for operation of rolling stock or installations used exclusively for signaling and communication purposes; 
• Installations of communication equipment under the exclusive control of communication utilities, located outdoors or in building spaces used exclusively for such installations;
• Installations under the exclusive control of electric utilities for the purpose of communication or metering; or
• Generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution of electric energy located in buildings used exclusively by utilities for such purposes or located outdoors on property owned or leased by the utility or on public highways, streets, roads, etc., or outdoors by established rights on private property.

Note: According to paragraph (b) of the electric utilization systems standard, some requirements of the following standards do not apply based on installation dates: general; wiring design and protection; wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use; specific purpose equipment and installations; hazardous locations; and special systems. Reference paragraph (b) for more information. 

This section of the subpart also contains the standard, general (general requirements), that pertains to examination, installation, and use of equipment; electrical connections; arcing parts; marking; disconnecting means and circuits; 600 volts, nominal or less (i.e., work space, guarding); over 600 volts, nominal (i.e., enclosures, entrance, exits, illumination); and other general requirements.

The wiring design and protection standard provides additional requirements pertaining to use and identification of grounded and grounding conductors; branch circuits (i.e., ground fault circuit interrupters, competent person); outside conductors, 600 volts, nominal or less; location of outdoor lamps; services (i.e., disconnecting means); overcurrent protection; and grounding (i.e., generators, connections). 

The standard on wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use provides requirements pertaining to wiring methods (i.e., temporary wiring, cable trays, open wiring on insulators); cabinets, boxes, and fittings (i.e., conductors, covers, canopies, junction boxes); switches; switchboards and panelboards; enclosures for damp or wet locations; conductors for general wiring; flexible cords and cables;  portable cables over 600 volts, nominal; fixture wires; and equipment for general use (i.e., lighting fixtures, lampholders, lamps, receptacles, appliances, motors, batteries).

Do you have any of the following or similar installations: electric signs, outline lighting, hoists, cranes, elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, wheelchair lifts, stairway chair lifts, electric welders, information technology equipment, x-ray equipment, induction heating equipment, dielectric heating equipment, electrolytic cells (i.e., electrolytic cell lines, process power supply for the production of aluminum, cadmium, chlorine, copper, fluorine, hydrogen peroxide, magnesium, sodium, sodium chlorate and zinc), irrigation machines (i.e., electrically driven or controlled), swimming pools, fountains, carnivals, fairs, and/or circuses? If yes, then you also need to comply with the standard on specific purpose equipment and installations. This standard includes specific requirements for the equipment and installations listed above (or similar in nature) pertaining to disconnecting means, location, switches, operation, control panels, signs, identification, guarding and grounding, remote control, portable electric equipment, power supply circuits, receptacles, lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, cord and plug-connected equipment, distribution boxes, and termination boxes.

Do you have any of the following or similar occupancy: aircraft hangars, gasoline dispensing and service stations, bulk storage plants for gasoline or other volatile flammable liquids, paint-finishing process plants, health care facilities, agricultural or other facilities where excessive combustible dusts may be present, marinas, boat yards, or petroleum and chemical processing plants? If yes, then you also need to comply with the standard on hazardous (classified) locations. It covers electric equipment and wiring that are classified depending on the properties of the flammable vapors, liquids or gases, or combustible dusts or fibers that may be present and the likelihood that a flammable or combustible concentration or quantity is present. This standard provides the requirements pertaining to classifications (i.e., class 1, division 1), documentation, electrical installations, conduits, equipment in division 2 locations, protection techniques (i.e., explosion proof apparatus, dust ignition proof, purged and pressurized), and class 1, zone 0, 1, and 2 locations.  

Do you have systems operating at over 600 volts? If yes, then you also need to comply with the standard on special systems. It contains the general requirements for all circuits and equipment operated at over 600 volts pertaining to aboveground wiring methods, insulation shielding, moisture or mechanical protection for metal-sheathed cables, interrupting and isolating devices, mobile and portable equipment, and tunnel installations. It also provides specific requirements for emergency power systems (i.e., signs); class 1, class 2, and class 3 remote control, signaling, and power-limited circuits; fire alarm systems; communication systems; solar photovoltaic systems; and integrated electrical systems.

Additional information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topic pages for electrical safety, flammable liquids, lockout/tagout and personal protective equipment.

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(iv) - electrical, you need to comply with the following standards in subpart S of the general industry standards. According to the scope, the electrical safety-related work practices section applies to qualified and unqualified persons working on, near, or with installations of electric conductors and equipment within or on buildings or other structures, and on other premises such as yards, carnival, parking, and other lots, and industrial substations; installations of conductors that connect to the supply of electricity; and installations of other outside conductors on the premises; installations of optical fiber cable where such installations are made along with electric conductors.

Qualified persons are those who have training in avoiding the electrical hazards of working on or near exposed energized parts.

Unqualified persons those with little or no such training working on or near exposed energized parts.

This section does not apply to:

• Generation, transmission, and distribution installations;
• Installations of communication equipment;
• Installations in ships, watercraft, railway rolling stock, aircraft, or automotive vehicles other than mobile homes and recreational vehicles; or
• Installations of railways for generation, transformation, transmission, or distribution of power used exclusively for operation of rolling stock or installations of railways used exclusively for signaling and communication purposes.

This section of subpart S provides training requirements for the employees who face a risk of electric shock that is not reduced to a safe level by the electrical installation requirements provided in the first section of this subpart. The training requirements for training content including safety-related work practices, skills to distinguish exposed live parts, determining the nominal voltage of exposed live parts, clearance distances, and type of training (i.e., classroom or on-the-job) determined by the risk to the employee.  

It also provides selection and use of work practices standard which applies to work on or near exposed energized and deenergized parts that expose the employee to electrical hazards. This standard provides requirements for safety-related work practices, working on or near exposed deenergized parts (i.e., application of locks and tags, deenergizing equipment, reenergizing equipment), and working on or near exposed energized parts (i.e., overhead lines, vehicular and mechanical equipment, illumination, confined spaces, portable ladders, housekeeping duties, interlocks).

The standard on use of equipment applies to the use of cord and plug connected equipment, including flexible cord sets (extension cords) and provides requirements pertaining to handling portable electric equipment (i.e., inspections, grounding type equipment, conductive work locations), electric power and lighting circuits (i.e., routine opening and closing circuits, overcurrent protection modification), test instruments and equipment (i.e.,, use, inspections, rating of equipment, use of flammable or ignitable materials). 

The safeguards for personnel protection standard provides additional requirements for employee protection including use of personal protective equipment (reference subpart I - personal protective equipment), and protective equipment and tools (i.e., insulating tools or handling equipment, fuse handling equipment, alerting techniques, safety signs and tags, barricades, attendants). 

Additional information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topic pages for electrical safety, lockout/tagout, confined spaces, walking and working surfaces and personal protective equipment.

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(v) - grain handling facilities, you need to comply with the general industry standard for grain handling facilities. It applies to grain elevators, feed mills, flour mills, rice mills, dust pelletizing plants, dry corn mills, soybean flaking operations, and the dry grinding operations of soycake and contains requirements for the control of grain dust fires and explosions, and certain other safety hazards associated with grain handling facilities and applies, in addition, to all other relevant provisions of the general industry standards (or marine terminal standards). 

The requirements pertain to emergency action plans (reference the standard on emergency action plans), training, hot work permits, entry into grain storage structures, entry into flat storage structures, contractors, housekeeping, grate openings, filter collectors, preventive maintenance, grain stream processing equipment, emergency escape, continuous-flow bulk raw grain dryers, and inside bucket elevators. Appendix A provides examples of achieving performance goals in the standard. It also includes definitions such as:

Hot work means work involving electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing, or similar flame producing operations. 

Grain elevator means a facility engaged in the receipt, handling, storage, and shipment of bulk raw agricultural commodities such as corn, wheat, oats, barley, sunflower seeds, and soybeans. 

Fugitive grain dust means combustible dust particles, emitted from the stock handling system, of such size as will pass through a U.S. Standard 40 mesh sieve (425 microns or less). 

These standards also provide requirements for an emergency action plan, hot work permits, training, contractors, housekeeping, preventive maintenance, emergency escape, and inside bucket elevators.

Other related information can be found in the A-Z safety and health topics pages for grain handing facilities, emergency action plans, combustible dust, respiratory protection, welding and cutting, and personal protective equipment.

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(vi) - hazard communication, you need to comply with the general industry standard for hazard communication. It applies to any chemical which is known to be present in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency.

This standard does not apply to:

• Any hazardous waste as such term is defined by the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), when subject to regulations issued under that Act by the Environmental Protection Agency;
• Any hazardous substance as such term is defined by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) when the hazardous substance is the focus of remedial or removal action being conducted under CERCLA in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
• Tobacco or tobacco products;
• Wood or wood products, including lumber which will not be processed, where the chemical manufacturer or importer can establish that the only hazard they pose to employees is the potential for flammability or combustibility (wood or wood products which have been treated with a hazardous chemical covered by this standard, and wood which may be subsequently sawed or cut, generating dust, are not exempted);
• Articles; Note: Defined as a manufactured item other than a fluid or particle: (i) which is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacture; (ii) which has end use function(s) dependent in whole or in part upon its shape or design during end use; and (iii) which under normal conditions of use does not release more than very small quantities, e.g., minute or trace amounts of a hazardous chemical (as determined under paragraph (d) of this section), and does not pose a physical hazard or health risk to employees.
• Food or alcoholic beverages which are sold, used, or prepared in a retail establishment (such as a grocery store, restaurant, or drinking place), and foods intended for personal consumption by employees while in the workplace;
• Any drug, as that term is defined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act when it is in solid, final form for direct administration to the patient (e.g., tablets or pills); drugs which are packaged by the chemical manufacturer for sale to consumers in a retail establishment (e.g., over-the-counter drugs); and drugs intended for personal consumption by employees while in the workplace (e.g., first aid supplies);
• Cosmetics which are packaged for sale to consumers in a retail establishment, and cosmetics intended for personal consumption by employees while in the workplace;
• Any consumer product or hazardous substance, as those terms are defined in the Consumer Product Safety Act and Federal Hazardous Substances Act, where the employer can show that it is used in the workplace for the purpose intended by the chemical manufacturer or importer of the product, and the use results in a duration and frequency of exposure which is not greater than the range of exposures that could reasonably be experienced by consumers when used for the purpose intended;
• Nuisance particulates where the chemical manufacturer or importer can establish that they do not pose any physical or health hazard covered under this section;
• Ionizing and nonionizing radiation; and
• Biological hazards.

The standard does not require labeling of the following chemicals:

• Any pesticide when subject to the labeling requirements of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and labeling regulations issued under that Act by the Environmental Protection Agency;
• Any chemical substance or mixture that are subject to the labeling requirements the Toxic Substances Control Act and labeling regulations issued under that Act by the Environmental Protection Agency;
• Any food, food additive, color additive, drug, cosmetic, or medical or veterinary device or product, including materials intended for use as ingredients in such products (e.g. flavors and fragrances), when they are subject to the labeling requirements under Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act  or the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act by either the Food and Drug Administration or the Department of Agriculture;
• Any distilled spirits (beverage alcohols), wine, or malt beverage intended for nonindustrial use, when subject to the labeling requirements of Federal Alcohol Administration Act and labeling regulations issued under that Act by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
• Any consumer product or hazardous substance when subject to a consumer product safety standard or labeling requirement of Consumer Product Safety Act and Federal Hazardous Substances Act or regulations issued under those Acts by the Consumer Product Safety Commission; and
• Agricultural or vegetable seed treated with pesticides and labeled in accordance with the Federal Seed Act and the labeling regulations issued under that Act by the Department of Agriculture.

This standard applies to laboratories only as follows:

• Employers shall ensure that labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals are not removed or defaced;
• Employers shall maintain any safety data sheets that are received with incoming shipments of hazardous chemicals, and ensure that they are readily accessible during each workshift to laboratory employees when they are in their work areas;
• Employers shall ensure that laboratory employees are provided information and training; and
• Laboratory employers that ship hazardous chemicals are considered to be either a chemical manufacturer or a distributor under this rule, and thus must ensure that any containers of hazardous chemicals leaving the laboratory are correctly labeled and that a safety data sheet is provided to distributors and other employers per requirements of the standard.

This standard provides the requirements for a written hazard communication program, labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, information and training, trade secrets, hazard classification, chemical inventory, and non-routine tasks. The appendices for this standard cover the following: appendix A provides the health hazard criteria; appendix B provides the physical criteria; appendix C provides the allocation of label elements; appendix D provides the safety data sheets; appendix E provides definition of "trade secret"; and appendix F pertains to the guidance for hazard classifications re: carcinogenicity.    

This standard also provides definitions such as: 

Chemical means any substance, or mixture of substances.

Article means a manufactured item other than a fluid or particle: (i) which is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacture; (ii) which has end use function(s) dependent in whole or in part upon its shape or design during end use; and (iii) which under normal conditions of use does not release more than very small quantities, e.g., minute or trace amounts of a hazardous chemical, and does not pose a physical hazard or health risk to employees.

Hazard class means the nature of the physical or health hazards, e.g., flammable solid, carcinogen, oral acute toxicity.

Foreseeable emergency means any potential occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment which could result in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical into the workplace. 

Label means an appropriate group of written, printed or graphic information elements concerning a hazardous chemical that is affixed to, printed on, or attached to the immediate container of a hazardous chemical, or to the outside packaging.

Safety data sheet (SDS) means written or printed material concerning a hazardous chemical that is prepared in accordance with the standard.

Additional information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topic pages for hazard communication, personal protective equipment, eyewash stations and emergency showers, organic solvents, acids and bases, flammable liquids, hierarchy of controls and respiratory protection.

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(vii) - ionizing radiation, you need to comply with the general industry standard for ionizing radiation as it applies to employee exposure to ionizing radiation. This standard provides the requirements pertaining to exposures of individuals in restricted areas, exposure to airborne radioactive material, precautionary procedures and personal monitoring, caution signs, labels, and signals, immediate evacuation warning signal, exceptions from posting requirements, exemptions for radioactive materials packaged for shipment, instruction of personnel (posting), storage of radioactive materials, waste disposal, notification if incidents, records, disclosure to former employee of individual employee's record, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensees - NRC contractors operating NRC plants and facilities - NRC Agreement State licensees or registrants. It also provides definitions such as: 

Radiation includes alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays, X-rays, neutrons, high-speed electrons, high-speed protons, and other atomic particles; but such term does not include sound or radio waves, or visible light, or infrared or ultraviolet light. 

Restricted area means any area access to which is controlled by the employer for purposes of protection of individuals from exposure to radiation or radioactive materials.

Rad means a measure of the dose of any ionizing radiation to body tissues in terms of the energy absorbed per unit of mass of the tissue. One rad is the dose corresponding to the absorption of 100 ergs per gram of tissue (1 millirad (mrad)=0.001 rad).

Additional information can be found on our A-Z safety and health topics page for radiation, ionizing and non-ionizing.  

The occupational noise exposure standard applies when employees are exposed at or above the action level of 85 decibels based on an 8 hour time weighted average or a dose of fifty percent based on Table G-16 - Permissible Noise Exposures. This is after feasible administrative or engineering controls have been utilized but failed to reduce sound levels to those provided in the table.

Based on the above information, do you have employees that are exposed, or may be exposed, to noise at or above the action level in the workplace? Note: The noise exposure should be considered without the use of personal protective equipment in place. If yes, then according to (a)(2)(viii) - noise, you need to comply with the general industry standard for occupational noise exposure.

This standard provides requirements for a hearing conservation program, noise level exposures, monitoring, training program, audiometric testing program, audiometric test requirements, hearing protection, hearing protector attenuation, and recordkeeping. In addition, appendix A provides noise exposure computations, appendix B provides methods for estimating the adequacy of hearing protector attenuation, appendix C provides information on audiometric measuring instruments, appendix D covers audiometric test rooms, appendix E covers acoustic calibration of audiometers, appendix F covers calculations and application of age corrections to audiograms, and appendix G provides information to help employers comply with the noise monitoring obligations. 

Appendix I, provides definitions for this standard including: 

Action level - An 8-hour time weighted average of 85 decibels measured on the A-scale, slow response, or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent.

Time-weighted average sound level - That sound level, which if constant over and 8-hour exposure, would result in the same noise dose as is measured.

Additional information can be found on our A-Z safety and health topics pages for noise and personal protective equipment.

The non-ionizing radiation standard applies to all radiations originating from radio stations, radar equipment, and other possible sources of electromagnetic radiation such as used for communication, radio navigation, and industrial and scientific purposes. This standard does not apply to the deliberate exposure of patients by, or under the direction of, practitioners of the healing arts.

Do you have, or have the potential to have, exposures to non-ionizing radiation in the workplace? If yes, then according to (a)(2)(ix) - non-ionizing radiation, you need to comply with the general industry standard for non-ionizing radiation. This standard provides requirements for a radiation protection guide and a warning symbol.

Definitions applicable to this standard include: 

Non-ionizing radiation applies to all sources originating from radio stations, radar equipment, and other possible sources of electromagnetic radiation such as used for communication, radio navigation, and industrial and scientific purposes.

Electromagnetic radiation - Restricted to that portion of the spectrum commonly defined as the radio frequency region, which for the purpose of this specification shall include the microwave frequency region.

Radiation protection guide - Radiation level which should not be exceeded without careful consideration of the reasons for doing so.

Additional information can be found on our A-Z safety and health topics page for radiation, ionizing and non-ionizing.  

This standard applies when breathing air is contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors which can cause occupational diseases. Do you have harmful air contaminants? Note: To answer this question, you may need to review safety data sheets, labels, conduct air monitoring, or gather other relevant data that can provide you with useful information regarding the hazards for the contaminant.

If the answer is yes, then according to (a)(2)(x) - respiratory protection, you may need to comply with the general industry standard for respiratory protection. Note: An employer should evaluate the use of engineering and administrative controls to minimize air contaminant exposures. If exposure levels are above the permissible exposure limits (PELs), (or in the absence of a PEL, another recommended level), then respirators must be provided and used in accordance with an effective respiratory protection program.

This standard applies to general industry (part 1910), shipyards (part 1915), marine terminals (part 1917), longshoring (part 1918), and construction (part 1926). This standard provides the requirements for using respirators when engineering control measures (e.g., ventilation, enclosures) are not effective in controlling air contaminants. This includes having a written respirator program, and providing for respirator selection, medical evaluations, fit testing, respirator use, maintenance and care, breathing air quality and use, identification of filters, cartridges and canisters, training and information, program evaluation, and recordkeeping (reference the standard on access to employee exposure and medical records). In addition, appendix A provides fit testing procedures, appendix B-1 provides user seal check procedures, appendix B-2 provides respirator cleaning procedures, and appendix C provides the medical questionnaire. 

Note: Voluntary Users of Respirators - (c)(2)(i); An employer may provide respirators at the request of employees or permit employees to use their own respirators, if the employer determines that respirator use will not in itself create a hazard. If the employer determines that voluntary respirator use is permissible, they shall provide the information contained in appendix D to the employee. In addition, the employer must establish and implement those elements of a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily is medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator is cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user.

Exception: Employers are not required to include in a written respiratory protection program those employees whose only use of respirators involves the voluntary use of filtering facepieces (dust masks).

This standard also provides definitions such as: 

Filtering facepiece (dust mask) means a negative pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium. 

Air-purifying respirator means a respirator with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element. (i.e., N95)

Fit test means the use of a protocol to qualitatively or quantitatively evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual.

Additional information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topics pages for respiratory protection, organic solvents, hierarchy of controls, personal protective equipment and flammable liquids. 

If the answer is yes, then according to (a)(2)(xi) - safety requirements for scaffolding, the general industry standard for scaffolds and rope descent systems applies to you. It provides the requirements for rope descent systems including anchorages and use and requires that scaffolds used in general industry meet the requirements in 29 CFR part 1926, subpart L (Scaffolds). Note: Scope and applicability still references the old general industry standard for scaffolds, "Safety requirements for scaffolding".

Scaffold is defined as any temporary elevated or suspended platform and its supporting structure, including anchorage points, used to support employees, equipment, materials, and other items. For purposes of this subpart, a scaffold does not include a crane-suspended or derrick-suspended personnel platform or a rope descent system. Note: Scissorlifts meet the definition of scaffolds and fall under the requirements for scaffolds even when used for interior building maintenance.

It also covers rope descent systems that meet the following definition, "A suspension system that allows an employee to descend in a controlled manner and, as needed, stop at any point during the descent." A rope descent system usually consists of a roof anchorage, support rope, a descent device, carabiner(s) or shackle(s), and a chair (seatboard). It is also called controlled descent equipment or apparatus. Rope descent systems do not include industrial rope access systems.

More information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topics pages for walking and working surfaces and scaffolds.

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(xii) - servicing multi-piece and single-piece rim wheels, you need to comply with the general industry standard for servicing multi-piece and single piece rim wheels. This standard applies to the servicing of multi-piece and single piece rim wheels used on large vehicles such as trucks, tractors, trailers, buses and off-road machines. Note: This standard does not apply to the servicing of rim wheels used on automobiles, or on pickup trucks and vans utilizing automobile tires or truck tires designated "LT". This standard does not apply to employers and places of employment regulated under the longshoring standards, construction standards, or agriculture standards.

It provides the requirements pertaining to employee training, tire servicing equipment, wheel component acceptability, and safe operating procedures. It also provides definitions such as:

Multi-piece rim wheel means the assemblage of a multi-piece wheel with the tire tube and other components. 

Multi-piece wheel means a vehicle wheel consisting of two or more parts, one of which is a side or locking ring designed to hold the tire on the wheel by interlocking components when the tire is inflated. 

Single piece rim wheel means the assemblage of single piece rim wheel with the tire and other components. 

Single piece wheel means a vehicle wheel consisting of one part, designed to hold the tire on the wheel when the tire is inflated. 

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(xiii) - toxic and hazardous substances, you need to comply with the general industry standards in subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances as it applies to marine cargo handling activities except for the following:

• When a substance or cargo is contained within a sealed, intact means of packaging or containment complying with Department of Transportation or International Maritime Organization requirements
• Bloodborne pathogens
• Carbon monoxide (See carbon monoxide)
• Hydrogen sulfide (See hydrogen sulfide (a)(2))
• Hexavalent chromium (See chromium VI - (Shipyard Employment))

If your employees have exposures to toxic and hazardous substances, reference the standard on hazardous atmospheres and substances. It covers areas in which the employer is aware that a hazardous atmosphere or substance may exist, except where one or more of the following standards apply: hazardous cargo; carbon monoxide; fumigants, pesticides, insecticides and hazardous preservatives; terminal facilities handling menhaden and similar species of fish; welding, cutting, and heating (hot work); and spray painting. Also reference the webpage Does "Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances" Apply to You? to identify other applicable health standards in general industry that may apply to you. 

Additional related information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topics pages for respiratory protection, personal protective equipment, hazard communication and organic solvents. 

If yes, then according to (a)(2)(xiv) - powered industrial truck operator training, you need to comply with the general industry standard, powered industrial trucks, paragraph (l) - operator training. It includes requirements for safe operation, training program, and refresher training and evaluations. 

If employees use powered industrial trucks, you should also reference the powered industrial trucks standard as it applies to every type of powered industrial truck used for material or equipment handling within a marine terminal. It does not apply to over-the-road vehicles. It provides requirements related to forklift trucks, maintenance, overhead guards, approved trucks, lifting employees, bulk cargo-moving vehicles, straddle trucks, and trailer-spotting tractors.

Additional related information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topics page for powered industrial trucks (forklifts).