Regulations & Compliance

Workplace safety regulations and compliance standards

Workplace Safety Regulations, Codes, and Standards

Workplace safety regulations and industry standards establish requirements and best practices for protecting workers, identifying hazards, communicating safety information, and maintaining compliant facilities. In the United States, many workplace safety requirements are enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), while organizations such as ANSI, NFPA, and ISO develop widely used standards and codes for safety signs, electrical safety, fire protection, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, and other workplace concerns.

Understanding which regulations and standards apply to your facility can help reduce workplace hazards, prevent injuries, prepare for inspections, and avoid costly compliance violations. Requirements may vary based on your industry, location, workplace hazards, and the equipment or materials used at your facility.

Use this resource to explore OSHA regulations, ANSI standards, NFPA codes, ISO standards, hazardous materials requirements, safety training, compliance programs, and other workplace safety topics.

Explore Workplace Safety Regulations and Standards

Browse regulations, codes, and standards from major workplace safety organizations and government agencies. Each section below includes guides covering specific requirements, standards, and compliance topics that may apply to your facility.

ANSI Standards

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) coordinates voluntary consensus standards used throughout U.S. workplaces and industries. ANSI standards address topics such as safety signs and colors, eye and face protection, hard hats, emergency eyewash equipment, pipe identification, and telecommunications labeling.

OSHA Regulations

OSHA establishes and enforces workplace safety and health requirements for employers throughout the United States. These regulations cover areas such as hazard communication, respiratory protection, occupational noise exposure, fire prevention, lockout/tagout, safety signs, recordkeeping, and hazardous waste operations.

NFPA Codes and Standards

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) develops codes and standards covering fire prevention, electrical safety, emergency response, and life safety. Common workplace standards include the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70E for electrical safety, NFPA 99 for healthcare facilities, and NFPA 704 for identifying hazardous materials.

ISO Standards

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops globally recognized standards for quality, safety, management systems, signage, and other business and industrial practices. Relevant workplace standards include ISO 3864 and ISO 7010 for safety signs and symbols, ISO 9001 for quality management, and standards addressing occupational health and specialized piping systems.

Hazardous Materials Regulations

Hazardous materials are subject to requirements governing classification, labeling, exposure, transportation, storage, and emergency communication. These resources cover standards and regulations including GHS and HazCom labeling, Title 49 CFR transportation requirements, exposure limits, ammonia piping identification, military shipping requirements, and international hazard communication systems.

Compliance Programs, Training, and Audits

Workplace compliance involves more than following individual safety standards. Employers may also need to maintain required records, complete training, prepare for inspections, document safety procedures, and regularly evaluate their compliance programs. These resources cover OSHA training cards, recordkeeping, compliance audits, enforcement programs, and equipment calibration.

Helpful Resources