US EHS Laws & Regulations
A practical guide to the federal laws, OSHA standards, EPA regulations, and ISO standards that govern Environmental, Health & Safety programs for US businesses.
Federal EHS Laws & OSHA Standards
The primary federal requirements applicable to most US employers.
The foundational federal law establishing the right of every worker to a safe workplace. Employers have a General Duty Clause obligation to keep workplaces free from recognized serious hazards. OSHA enforces the Act and issues standards under 29 CFR.
Key Requirements
- General Duty Clause — employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards
- Compliance with applicable OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910, 1926, etc.)
- Keep OSHA 300/300A injury and illness records (establishments with 10+ employees)
- Report fatalities within 8 hours and in-patient hospitalizations within 24 hours
- Post the OSHA 300A Annual Summary February 1 through April 30 each year
- Provide required safety training in workers' language
- Provide and maintain required PPE at no cost to workers
Penalties: OSHA penalties up to $16,131 per serious violation; up to $161,323 for willful violations (2024 rates, inflation-adjusted annually).
The primary set of safety standards for general industry workplaces including manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, retail, and office environments.
Key Requirements
- 1910.132 — General PPE requirements and employer hazard assessment
- 1910.147 — Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
- 1910.157 — Portable Fire Extinguishers — inspection and training
- 1910.178 — Powered Industrial Trucks (forklift operator certification)
- 1910.1200 — Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom 2012 / GHS)
- 1910.38 — Emergency Action Plans
- 1910.1030 — Bloodborne Pathogens (healthcare and first aid responders)
- 1910.217 — Mechanical Power Presses
Penalties: Per-violation fines up to $16,131; penalties for repeat or willful violations significantly higher.
Safety standards specifically governing construction worksites — covering fall protection, scaffolding, excavations, cranes, and electrical safety.
Key Requirements
- 1926.501 — Fall Protection (leading cause of construction fatalities)
- 1926.1053 — Ladders — load ratings, use, and inspection
- 1926.652 — Excavations — daily inspections by competent person
- 1926.451 — Scaffolding — capacity, access, and fall protection
- 1926.416 — Electrical safety — working near energized parts
- 1926.59 — Hazard Communication for construction sites
- Written site-specific safety and health plans
- Competent person designations for specific hazardous operations
Penalties: Same federal OSHA penalty structure as general industry; state plan states may differ.
Federal requirements for employers to record and report work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Applies to establishments with 10 or more employees in most industries.
Key Requirements
- OSHA 300 Log — record all work-related injuries/illnesses throughout the year
- OSHA 301 Incident Report — detailed record for each recordable case
- OSHA 300A Annual Summary — post February 1–April 30 in a visible location
- Electronic submission via OSHA's Injury Tracking Application (ITA) — required for 250+ employee establishments
- Retain records for 5 years following the year they were created
- First aid cases are generally NOT recordable (defined list in 1904.7)
- Report fatalities to OSHA within 8 hours; hospitalizations within 24 hours
Penalties: Failure to maintain records: up to $16,131 per violation. Failure to report fatalities: up to $8,065.
Key federal environmental laws governing air emissions and water discharges. Many industrial operations require permits and must track pollutant releases.
Key Requirements
- CAA Title V permits for major stationary sources of air pollution
- Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans for oil storage
- CWA NPDES permits for discharges to navigable waters
- Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting under EPCRA Section 313
- EPCRA Tier II chemical inventory reporting (Section 312) for hazardous chemicals above thresholds
- Emergency Planning notification under CERCLA Section 103 and EPCRA Section 304
Penalties: EPA civil penalties up to $70,117 per day per violation for Clean Air Act violations (2024).
Federal law governing the management of hazardous and solid waste from cradle to grave. Generators, transporters, and treatment/disposal facilities all have distinct obligations.
Key Requirements
- Hazardous waste generator categorization (VSQG, SQG, LQG) based on monthly generation
- Manifesting hazardous waste shipments
- Hazardous waste storage area requirements (labeling, inspections, secondary containment)
- Biennial hazardous waste report (LQGs)
- Training requirements for personnel handling hazardous waste
Penalties: RCRA civil penalties up to $70,117 per day per violation.
ISO Management System Standards
International standards widely adopted by US businesses for EHS management, quality, and environmental performance.
The international standard for OH&S management systems, replacing OHSAS 18001. Certification demonstrates systematic management of workplace safety risks and legal compliance.
Preferred by Fortune 500 companies; required by many enterprise procurement processes
The world's most widely adopted quality management standard. Many companies integrate ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 into a combined management system.
Required by many government and enterprise contracts; reduces defects and liability
International standard for environmental management — identifying environmental aspects, impacts, and controls within your operations.
Demonstrates environmental stewardship; required by sustainability-focused customers and investors
The first international standard addressing psychological health in the workplace — covering work-related stress, harassment prevention, and mental health management.
Addresses the fastest-growing category of worker injury claims in the US
Key ANSI Standards
American National Standards that complement OSHA requirements and set industry best practices.
The primary US national standard for OHSMS — developed by the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). Highly compatible with ISO 45001.
NFPA 70E establishes the framework for electrical safety programs, arc flash risk assessments, and PPE selection — referenced in OSHA 1910.333 enforcement.
The national standard for eye and face protection performance, marking, and selection — required reference for OSHA 1910.133 PPE compliance.
Don't forget: State OSHA Plans
29 states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved State Plans, which must be at least as effective as federal OSHA and may impose stricter requirements. States with their own plans include California (Cal/OSHA), Michigan (MIOSHA), Washington (WISHA), New York, North Carolina, and others. Always verify whether your state has a State Plan and review its specific requirements.
Find your state's OSHA planLegal disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. EHS regulations are complex, frequently updated, and vary by industry, company size, and jurisdiction. Always consult qualified legal counsel and certified EHS professionals to determine the specific requirements applicable to your operations. HMS Nova does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of this information.