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The Occupational Safety and health Administration (OSHA) was established by the OSHAct on April 28, 1971. Prior to this workplace safety and health was the responsibility of state agencies. Standards varied from state to state and enforcement was limited. The OSHAct granted the Secretary of Labor the authority to develop safety and health standards; to conduct inspections and impose penalties; and to approve state plans. The Act also adopted the 1968 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) exposure standards.

Most states have OSHA equivalent agencies. You are urged to contact your state agency to determine what standards apply in your state.

The following links provide information on OSHA chemical health and safety standards.

Note: Health Standards promulgated under the OSHAct were complied form existing federal standards and national censuses standards. Amendments, additions and deletions require a public rule making process. This process may delay revisions of existing standards and current legal standards may not represent the current consensus standard. Therefore, exposure standards recommended by the National Institutes for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrials Hygienists (ACGIH) should be reviewed. These standards typically are lower and consistent with current research. All standards are based on work place exposures of adults. The application of these standards in school settings should be evaluated by a person trained in industrial hygiene. We strongly recommend administrative and engineering controls to reduce or eliminate exposure.

OSHA Alphabetic Site index
OSHA Home Page
Hazard Communication Standard (Right-to-Know)
Laboratory Standard (Chemical Hygiene Plan)
National Research Council's Recommendations Concerning Chemical Hygiene in Laboratories
Laboratory Standard (References)
OSHA Carcinogen List
Carcinogens
OSHA Federal Register

OSHA Regulations (Standards-29CFR)

Part 1910 (Subpart G) Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Part 1910 (Subpart H) Hazardous Materials
Part 1910 (Subpart I) Personal Protective Equipment (including respiratory protection)
Part 1910 (Subpart Z) Toxic and Hazardous Substances
Table Z-1 Limits for Air Contaminants