Applicable Standards

The standards set forth under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. § 651, et seq., including the General Duty Clause under 29 U.S.C. § 654, which provides, “Each employer (a) shall furnish to each of its employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees; (b) shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this act. Each employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this act which are applicable to the employee's own actions and conduct.” Additionally, except as provided otherwise in 454 CMR 25.02 the versions of 29 CFR Parts 1903, 1904, 1905, 1908, 1910, 1915, 1917, 1918, 1926, 1928, and 1977 in effect on July 30, 2024 shall apply to all places of employment covered by 454 CMR 25.00, and employers covered by 454 CMR 25.00 shall comply with them under the authority of the Department of Labor Standards. For purposes of 454 CMR 25.00, all references to “Secretary” and “Assistant Secretary” in the aforementioned CFR parts shall mean the Director of the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards and all references to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the United States Department of Labor shall mean the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114. All references to and requirements of federal agencies or entities in the aforementioned CFR parts shall mean the applicable Massachusetts counterpart if one exists. The Department of Labor Standards will adopt any necessary future amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the aforementioned CFR parts via the procedures outlined in 950 CMR 20.00: Preparing and Filing Regulations.