Glossary · Machinery law and conformity

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Also known as: OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the US federal agency within the Department of Labor responsible for workplace safety and health regulation and enforcement. It was created under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and issues and enforces standards such as those for machine guarding and lockout/tagout.

USA
Compliance

In one sentence

OSHA is the US federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety and health standards, including machine guarding and lockout/tagout.

Example

After an amputation at a press, OSHA inspects the plant and cites the employer under 29 CFR 1910.212 for missing point-of-operation guarding and under 29 CFR 1910.147 for an incomplete energy control program.

How it applies

Standards: General industry standards are in 29 CFR 1910, including machine guarding (1910.212) and the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout, 1910.147). Where no specific standard applies, OSHA can cite the General Duty Clause.
Addressee: OSHA regulates employers. Machine builders are affected indirectly, because their customers need machines and documentation that allow them to comply.
State plans: Many states run OSHA-approved state plans, which must be at least as effective as the federal program and can set additional requirements.
Technical documentation: Manuals for the US market should support the employer's duties: energy isolation points and procedures, guarding descriptions and training requirements. Consensus standards such as ANSI B11 and ANSI Z535 are often used alongside OSHA rules.

OSHA vs. EU market surveillance

EU machinery law is enforced by market surveillance authorities, focused on the product placed on the market. OSHA enforces at the workplace, focused on the employer's general duty to safeguard and the machine as used. There is no US equivalent of CE marking for machinery.