What Does the General Duty Clause Require Employers to Do?

When it comes to workplace safety, many people immediately think of OSHA’s specific standards—like those governing lockout/tagout, confined space entry, or fall protection. But there’s one critical piece of legislation that covers everything else that might not be listed in a specific regulation: the General Duty Clause.

This clause forms the backbone of OSHA’s mission to keep every worker safe. But what exactly does it require from employers? Let’s break it down.

⚖️ The General Duty Clause Explained

The General Duty Clause comes from Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act). It states:

“Each employer shall furnish to each of his 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 his employees.”

In simpler terms, this means that employers are responsible for protecting workers from serious recognized hazards, even if OSHA doesn’t have a specific standard covering that hazard.

🧱 The Four Elements of a General Duty Clause Violation

For OSHA to cite an employer under the General Duty Clause, four conditions must be met:

1. A Hazard Exists

   There must be a workplace condition or practice that poses a real danger to employees.

   
   

   Example: Employees exposed to extreme heat without rest breaks or shade.

2. The Hazard Is Recognized

   The hazard must be known — either industry-wide or by the employer themselves. Recognition can come from:

   • Industry standards (like ANSI or NFPA)

   • Manufacturer warnings

   • Previous incidents

   • Common sense observations

3. The Hazard Is Likely to Cause Death or Serious Harm

   OSHA focuses on conditions that could result in serious injury or illness — not minor issues.

4. Feasible Methods Exist to Correct It

   OSHA must show that practical steps could have been taken to eliminate or reduce the hazard.

🦺 What Employers Must Do

Under the General Duty Clause, employers must take proactive steps to ensure workplace safety — not just meet the minimum requirements of specific standards.

Here’s what that looks like in action:

• Identify and assess hazards — through regular inspections, incident reviews, and employee feedback.

• Implement control measures — such as engineering controls, administrative procedures, and PPE.

• Train employees — ensuring everyone understands the hazards in their work area and how to protect themselves.

• Document corrective actions — showing OSHA and employees that you are taking steps to maintain a safe workplace.

• Foster a safety culture — where employees feel empowered to report hazards without fear of retaliation.

🧩 Common Examples of General Duty Clause Citations

OSHA often uses the General Duty Clause for hazards without a specific standard, such as:

• Workplace violence prevention in healthcare or customer-facing jobs

• Heat stress in outdoor or industrial settings

• Ergonomic hazards from repetitive motion

• Combustible dust accumulation

• Chemical process hazards not covered under PSM

Each of these examples represents a serious threat to workers’ health and safety, and employers are expected to recognize and control them.

💡 Why It Matters

The General Duty Clause serves as OSHA’s catch-all safety requirement. It reminds employers that compliance alone doesn’t guarantee safety — real safety comes from continuous awareness, assessment, and action.

For safety leaders and supervisors, understanding this clause means going beyond the checklist. It means asking:

“What could go wrong — and what are we doing to prevent it?”

🚀 Building a Culture Beyond Compliance

At Chemical Coast Industrial Training, we help companies and employees not just understand OSHA’s requirements — but bring them to life. Through scenario-based learning, hands-on activities, and real-world examples, we train workers to recognize and respond to hazards before they cause harm.

Because true safety isn’t about checking boxes — it’s about protecting people.

✅ Key Takeaway

The General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious harm — even if no specific OSHA standard exists.

In short: if it’s dangerous and preventable, it’s your duty to fix it.

Want to make sure your team meets OSHA expectations?📅 Schedule a Safety Training Session or contact Chemical Coast Industrial Training to learn how our interactive safety programs can strengthen your workforce.