This eTool is not a new standard or regulation, and creates no new legal obligations. The eTool
is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist employers in
providing a safe and healthful workplace through effective prevention programs adapted to the
needs of each place of employment.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with hazard-specific
safety and health standards. In addition, employers must provide their employees with a
workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm under
Section 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause of the Act. Employers can be cited for violating the
General Duty Clause if there is a recognized hazard and they do not take steps to prevent or
abate the hazard. However, failure to implement these guidelines is not, in itself, a violation
of the General Duty Clause. Citations can only be based on standards, regulations, and the
General Duty Clause.
The Department of Labor maintains this Web site to
enhance public access to the Department's information. This is a service that
is continually under development. We will make every effort to keep this site
current and to correct errors brought to our attention.
The documents on this site contain hypertext pointers to information created
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offered by the author of the reference or the organization operating the site
on which the reference is maintained.
Translations of any materials into language other than English is intended
solely as a convenience to the non-English-reading public. We have attempted
to provide an accurate translation of the original material in English, but
due to the difficulties of translation slight differences may exist.
References identifying the original document in English are available in most
non-English documents.
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