Free OSHA Compliance Guides
Plain-language explanations of federal OSHA standards, Cal/OSHA, and state safety plans — published daily for contractors, safety coordinators, and EHS managers.
What We Cover
General Industry (29 CFR 1910), Construction (29 CFR 1926), Maritime, and Agriculture — explained in plain language with the specific CFR section cited.
26 states run their own OSHA-approved safety programs. We flag where California, Washington, Oregon, Michigan, and others require more than federal minimums.
What inspectors look for, how to respond to citations, abatement timelines, and how an OSHA record affects ISNetworld and Avetta prequalification.
Fall protection, Hazard Communication, Scaffolding, Lockout/Tagout, Respiratory Protection — the most-cited standards and what compliance actually requires.
Heat illness prevention, emergency action plans, and standards that are in active enforcement focus or rulemaking.
Which OSHA standards require a written program, what they must contain, and how to maintain them for contractor prequalification audits.
Latest OSHA Guides
What Does OSHA Require for Heat Illness Prevention at Work?
OSHA requires employers to protect workers from heat illness through water, rest, shade, and acclimatization. Here's what the standard means in practice.
Read Guide →What Does OSHA Require for Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures?
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requires a written energy control program, authorized employee training, and periodic inspections. Here's what that means for your operation.
Read Guide →What Does OSHA Require for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
OSHA requires employers to assess hazards, select appropriate PPE, provide it at no cost, train workers, and enforce use. Here's the full breakdown.
Read Guide →Common OSHA Questions
What is the difference between OSHA 10 and OSHA 30?
OSHA 10 is a 10-hour outreach training course covering basic safety awareness — typically required for entry-level workers in construction or general industry. OSHA 30 is a 30-hour course for supervisors and workers with safety responsibilities. Neither is a certification or license; they are awareness programs. Many contractor prequalification portals (ISNetworld, Avetta) require OSHA 10 or 30 cards as documentation of completed training.
Do I need an OSHA 300 log?
Most employers with 11 or more employees are required to maintain OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), Form 300A (Annual Summary), and Form 301 (Incident Report). Partially exempt industries — primarily low-hazard sectors like retail and finance — are exempt from routine recordkeeping unless OSHA specifically requests records. The Form 300A summary must be posted from February 1 through April 30 each year.
What does a written safety program need to include?
The required contents vary by standard. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires a written HazCom program identifying responsible personnel and chemical inventory. The Lockout/Tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) requires documented energy control procedures for each piece of equipment. The Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) requires a written program when respirators are required. Contractor prequalification portals typically require written programs for fall protection, HazCom, emergency action, and often site-specific plans.
How long do you have to report a workplace fatality to OSHA?
Under 29 CFR 1904.39, employers must report a work-related fatality to OSHA within 8 hours. In-patient hospitalizations of one or more employees, amputations, and loss of an eye must be reported within 24 hours. Reports can be made by calling OSHA's 24-hour hotline (1-800-321-OSHA) or by visiting the nearest OSHA area office. Failure to report is a separate violation with its own penalty.
What is a competent person under OSHA?
A competent person is defined by OSHA as "one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them." The standard does not require a specific credential — it requires demonstrated knowledge and authority to act. Competent person requirements appear in excavation (1926.650), scaffolding (1926.451), fall protection (1926.502), and many other construction standards.
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