A standard (or regulation) is a regulatory requirement established and published by the agency to serve as criteria for measuring whether employers are in compliance with the OSH Act laws. OSHA standards are published in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and are divided into separate standards for General Industry, Construction, and Maritime.

The Federal Register is a legal journal published every business day by the National Archives and Records Administration on federal government news. It contains federal agency regulations, proposed rules, public notices, executive orders, proclamations, and other presidential documents.

OSHA enforces its regulations and standards by conducting inspections based on priority such as an imminent danger situation, fatality, or a worker complaint. Current workers or their representatives may file a written complaint and ask OSHA to inspect their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer is not following OSHA standards.