OSHA Standards Cheat Sheets

For Safety Managers

Quick-reference guides, penalty tables, and compliant PPE recommendations for the standards most likely to affect your worksite so you can keep crews compliant and audits stress-free.

Why Safety Managers Need a Cheat Sheet

OSHA administers over 2,000 standards across general industry (29 CFR 1910) and construction (29 CFR 1926). No safety manager has them all memorized and the penalties for non-compliance are significant. OSHA’s ten most-cited standards consistently account for the majority of all workplace violations issued each year. The good news: a large proportion of those citations are preventable with the right PPE, proper documentation, and consistent inspection habits.

This guide is organized into individual cheat sheets, one per major standard category. Each includes a plain-English summary of what the standard requires, a compliance table, common citations managers miss, and links to compliant products.

⚠️ Important: This guide is a practical field reference, not legal advice. Always consult the official standards at osha.gov and your legal or EHS counsel for site-specific compliance determinations.

OSHA Penalty Structure at a Glance

OSHA penalty amounts are adjusted annually for inflation. The figures below reflect 2024 levels and apply per violation, per day for ongoing violations.

Violation Type	Per-Violation Fine	Max (Willful/Repeat)
Other-Than-Serious	Up to $16,131	N/A
Serious	$1,000–$16,131	N/A
Willful or Repeat	$16,131–$161,323	$161,323 per violation
Failure to Abate	$16,131 per day	—
Posting Requirements	Up to $16,131	N/A

? Key insight: Willful violations — where OSHA proves the employer knew about the hazard and did nothing — carry fines up to 10x higher than serious violations. Documented PPE programs and training records are your best defense.

CHEAT SHEET 1 · Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | 29 CFR 1910.132 / 1926.28

Safety Apparel Check List The PPE standard is one of OSHA’s most-cited regulations every year and it’s the legal backbone for almost every other PPE requirement on this list. 1910.132 (general industry) and 1926.28 (construction) require employers to assess workplace hazards, provide appropriate PPE at no cost to workers, and ensure it’s properly used and maintained.

What the Standard Requires

Written hazard assessment of the workplace, certified by a responsible person, identifying PPE needed by task
Employer pays for PPE in most cases (limited exceptions for everyday clothing and non-specialty footwear)
PPE must meet the applicable ANSI/ISEA performance standard for its category
Training required: when PPE is necessary, how to wear/don/doff correctly, limitations, useful life, and care
Retraining required if worker behavior shows inadequate understanding or workplace hazards change
Damaged or defective PPE must be removed from service immediately

Master PPE Compliance Table

Standard	Who It Covers	Key PPE / Apparel Required	Max Penalty
1910.135	Workers near falling objects or electrical hazards	Hard hats — ANSI Z89.1 Type I or II, Class C/E/G	$16,131
1910.133	Eye/face exposure: impact, chemical, optical radiation	Safety glasses, goggles, face shields — ANSI Z87.1	$16,131
1910.136	Foot hazards: crush, puncture, electrical, chemical	Safety footwear — ASTM F2412/F2413	$16,131
1910.138	Hand hazards: chemical, cut, thermal, electrical	Task-appropriate gloves — rated per hazard type	$16,131
1910.95	Noise at/above 85 dB 8-hr TWA	NRR-rated earplugs or earmuffs	$161,323
1910.134	Airborne hazards: dust, fumes, vapors, oxygen deficiency	NIOSH-approved respirator + written program	$161,323
1910.132	All body/skin hazards not covered by specific standards	FR, chemical-resistant, cut-resistant apparel	$161,323

Common PPE Citations to Avoid

Missing or undated hazard assessment. OSHA requires a written, certified assessment — a verbal walk-around doesn’t satisfy this.
Non-ANSI-rated PPE. Generic safety glasses or uncertified gloves do not satisfy the standard even if they “look like” PPE.
No training records. Training must be documented; an inspector will ask for sign-in sheets or certificates.
Expired or damaged PPE in service. Hard hats older than 5 years (from first use) or with visible cracks must be replaced.

Shop Compliant PPE

› Head Protection — Hard Hats & Liners — ANSI Z89.1 hard hats; FR and standard hard hat liners for cold weather

› Eye & Face Protection — ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses, goggles, and face shields

› Hand Protection — Gloves — Cut-resistant, chemical, disposable, and FR-rated gloves

› Hearing Protection — NRR-rated earplugs and earmuffs for OSHA 1910.95 compliance

› Disposable Coveralls — Chemical and particulate protection; SMS and microporous options

› Knee Pads & Back Support — Ergonomic PPE for physical strain and repetitive motion tasks

› All PPE — Full PPE catalog — head to toe

CHEAT SHEET 2 · High-Visibility Safety Apparel | 23 CFR 634 / ANSI/ISEA 107 / MUTCD

Workers in roadway environments are required by federal law — 23 CFR Part 634 (FHWA) — to wear ANSI/ISEA 107-compliant high-visibility apparel at all times within the right-of-way on Federal-aid highway projects. The MUTCD extends this to virtually all public road work. Many states have supplemental requirements, and OSHA 1926.201 governs flagging operations specifically.

ANSI Class Quick Reference

Standard	Who It Covers	Key PPE / Apparel Required	Max Penalty
ANSI Class 1	Low-risk, separated from traffic <25 mph	Enhanced visibility vest, tee, or jacket	State DOT / contract
ANSI Class 2	Moderate risk, roadway work or complex backgrounds	Class 2 vest, shirt, hoodie, or jacket	$16,131
ANSI Class 3	High-speed roads, active travel lanes, heavy equipment	Class 3 vest, coverall, jacket, or shirt	$16,131
ANSI Class E	Lower body; worn with Class 2 or 3 top	Hi-vis pants, bibs, or rain pants	Contract / DOT
Type P	Public safety (police, fire, EMS)	Public safety vest with ANSI + badge/weapon access	Agency policy
FR Hi-Vis	Roadway workers near electrical/flame hazards	FR + ANSI compliant combo garment	$161,323

What Safety Managers Most Often Miss

Rain gear must be ANSI-rated. A standard yellow rain jacket does not satisfy 23 CFR 634 unless it carries an ANSI 107 Class 2 or 3 certification label.
Vests worn over non-FR clothing in arc-flash zones. Workers near electrical hazards need FR hi-vis — an ANSI Class 2 mesh vest over a polyester shirt is a compliance and safety failure.
Faded or washed-out garments. ANSI 107 includes performance requirements for color retention. Visibly faded hi-vis must be replaced.
Class E missing for equipment operators. Workers driving equipment on active roadways often still require Class E lower-body hi-vis.

Shop Compliant Hi-Vis

› ANSI Class 2 Safety Vests — Mesh, solid, surveyor, and breakaway styles

› ANSI Class 3 Safety Vests — Full-coverage vests for active travel lane work

› Class 3 Rain Jackets — ANSI 107-rated waterproof jackets for roadway workers

› FR Hi-Vis Clothing — Combined arc flash + ANSI Class 2/3 hi-vis for utility and electrical workers

› Hi-Vis Pants & Class E Rain Gear — Lower-body Class E compliance; pairs with any Class 2/3 top

› Public Safety Vests — Type P options for law enforcement, fire, and EMS

› All High Visibility Clothing — Full hi-vis catalog by class, style, and application

CHEAT SHEET 3 · Flame Resistant (FR) Clothing | OSHA 1910.269 / NFPA 70E / NFPA 2112

FR clothing requirements are governed by a combination of OSHA regulations and NFPA consensus standards. OSHA 1910.269 (Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution) mandates FR as the outer layer for utility workers near electric arcs or flames regardless of whether a formal arc flash study has been completed. OSHA 1910.132 requires FR for any worker whose hazard assessment identifies thermal hazard exposure.

The Two FR Standards Safety Managers Must Know

NFPA 70E — Arc Flash Protection

Defines 4 PPE Categories (1–4) based on incident energy (cal/cm²). Requires arc-rated clothing with an ATPV rating at or above the calculated incident energy. Category 1 = 4 cal/cm² min; Category 4 = 40 cal/cm² min. Required for all work on or near energized electrical equipment.

NFPA 2112 — Flash Fire Protection

Governs garments protecting against industrial flash fires (oil & gas, chemical, petrochemical). Garments must self-extinguish within 2 seconds. Does NOT automatically satisfy arc flash requirements. Workers in dual-hazard environments need garments certified to BOTH standards.

FR Compliance Table by Industry

Standard	Who It Covers	Key PPE / Apparel Required	Max Penalty
1910.269	Electric utility workers near energized systems	FR outer layer; ASTM F1506 arc-rated garments	$161,323
NFPA 70E Cat. 1	Electricians; low-energy work (≤1.2 kV)	4 cal/cm² rated shirt + pants	$161,323
NFPA 70E Cat. 2	Distribution switching, panel work	8 cal/cm² coverall or shirt/pant system	$161,323
NFPA 70E Cat. 3	Substation work, medium voltage	25 cal/cm² arc suit or multi-layer system	$161,323
NFPA 2112	Oil & gas, refinery, petrochemical workers	NFPA 2112-certified shirt, pants, or coverall	$161,323
1910.132 (FR)	Any worker with documented thermal hazard	FR apparel appropriate to assessed hazard level	$161,323

FR Layering Rules — The Non-Negotiables

Every layer must be FR. Polyester and nylon melt at arc temperatures. A non-FR base layer under FR outerwear can cause far worse burns than the arc flash alone.
Rain gear must be FR-rated. A standard rain jacket over FR work clothing violates both the spirit and letter of 1910.269 and NFPA 70E.
NFPA 2112 ≠ arc flash rated. These are separate standards. Confirm dual-certification for workers in combined electrical and flash fire hazard zones.
Accessories count. FR gloves, balaclavas, and hard hat liners are required to complete a compliant ensemble in Cat. 2+ arc flash environments.

Shop Compliant FR Clothing

› FR Shirts — Long & Short Sleeve — ASTM F1506 / NFPA 70E daily wear for Cat. 1 environments

› FR Pants — Arc-rated pants; pairs with FR shirts to build a compliant layered system

› FR Coveralls — Single-piece flash fire and arc flash protection; Cat. 2+ applications

› FR Jackets — Bomber, Parkas & Soft Shell — Outer-layer cold-weather protection without breaking FR compliance

› FR Rain Gear — NFPA 2112 / ASTM F1891 rated rain jackets, suits, and bibs

› FR Accessories — Gloves, Balaclavas, Hard Hat Liners — Complete the FR ensemble; critical for Cat. 2+ arc environments

› All Flame Resistant Clothing — Full FR catalog by garment type, industry, and standard

CHEAT SHEET 4 · Fall Protection | 29 CFR 1926.502 / 1910.28

Fall protection is the single most-cited OSHA standard in construction, year after year. 1926.502 (construction) and 1910.28 (general industry, effective 2017) require fall protection at specific height thresholds and mandate written fall protection plans for certain activities. Falls are the leading cause of fatality in construction, accounting for roughly one-third of all construction deaths annually.

Height Trigger Reference

Standard	Who It Covers	Key PPE / Apparel Required	Max Penalty
1926.502 — General construction	6 feet above lower level	Guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest	$161,323
1926.502 — Scaffolding	10 feet above lower level	Guardrails or fall arrest system	$161,323
1910.28 — General industry	4 feet above lower level	Guardrails or PFAS; 6 ft for fixed ladders	$161,323
1910.28 — Around dangerous equip.	Any height above machinery	Guardrails or covers over openings	$161,323
1926.502 — Residential	6 feet; limited exceptions for steep roofs	Conventional systems or slide guards	$161,323

Harness & Equipment Inspection Checklist

Safety managers must ensure fall arrest equipment is inspected before each use. Key items:

Harness webbing: No cuts, abrasions, burns, or chemical damage; no broken stitching
D-rings and buckles: Free of cracks, corrosion, or deformation; buckles engage cleanly
Lanyards and SRLs: No kinked or frayed cable; shock pack not deployed (single-use if deployed)
Anchorage points: Capable of withstanding 5,000 lbs per attached worker, or designed by a qualified engineer
Label / date check: Manufacturer’s use-life date not exceeded; fall-arrest device retired after any fall arrest event
Written inspection log: Document who inspected, what was found, and any equipment removed from service

? Compliance tip: Fall protection plans for leading-edge work and other specific applications must be written, task-specific, and signed by a qualified person. A generic plan copied from the internet does not satisfy 1926.502(k).

Supporting Apparel

While harnesses and lanyards are specialized equipment, the clothing worn with fall protection matters too:

› Hi-Vis Jackets & Vests — Worn over harnesses; look for designs with harness pass-through openings

› Industrial Rain Gear — Non-restrictive rain gear compatible with fall arrest harness systems

› FR Hi-Vis for Elevated Electrical Work — Combined arc flash + hi-vis for linemen and tower workers

CHEAT SHEET 5 · Hazard Communication (HazCom / GHS) | 29 CFR 1910.1200

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard — commonly called HazCom or the GHS standard — requires employers to maintain a written program, keep Safety Data Sheets (SDS) accessible for all hazardous chemicals on site, ensure containers are labeled, and train workers on chemical hazards. It is consistently among OSHA’s top 5 most-cited standards.

HazCom Compliance Checklist

Written HazCom program on file and accessible; must describe labeling system, SDS management, and training process
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for every hazardous chemical on site; accessible to workers in all shifts
Container labeling: GHS-compliant labels with product name, signal word, hazard pictograms, and supplier contact
Worker training: Must cover how to read SDS, understand label elements, and use appropriate protective measures
Chemical inventory list maintained and updated when new chemicals are brought on site

PPE Triggered by Chemical Hazards

Chemical hazard assessments under 1910.1200 directly drive PPE requirements under 1910.132. Common chemical-triggered PPE includes:

Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene, or butyl depending on chemical class)
Chemical splash goggles or face shields for liquids with splash risk
Disposable coveralls or chemical-resistant aprons for skin exposure hazards
Respirators with the correct cartridge type for the specific airborne chemical

Shop HazCom-Responsive PPE

› Disposable Coveralls — Chemical and particulate protection; SMS, Tyvek-equivalent, and microporous

› Gloves — Disposable & Chemical Resistant — Nitrile, latex, and chemical-resistant options for hazardous substance tasks

› Eye & Face Protection — ANSI Z87.1 chemical splash goggles and face shields

CHEAT SHEET 6 · Respiratory Protection | 29 CFR 1910.134

1910.134 requires a written respiratory protection program whenever respirators are used in the workplace, whether required or voluntary. Key elements include respirator selection, medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and maintenance. Failure to maintain a written program is one of the most common — and easily avoidable — serious citations.

Written Program Must Include

Procedures for selecting respirators based on identified hazard (dust, fume, vapor, IDLH, oxygen deficiency)
Medical evaluation before fit test; OSHA Medical Questionnaire or physician sign-off required
Fit testing for all tight-fitting respirators (quantitative or qualitative); annually or when face changes
Procedures for cleaning, storing, inspecting, and discarding respirators
Training on proper use, limitations, and emergency procedures
A designated program administrator responsible for program implementation

Common 1910.134 Citations

No written program. Even if only one worker wears a respirator voluntarily, a written program is required.
Fit testing expired. Annual fit testing is mandatory for all tight-fitting respirators.
Medical clearance missing. Workers cannot be fit-tested or use tight-fitting respirators without medical evaluation.
Wrong respirator for the hazard. A dust mask (filtering facepiece) does not protect against organic vapors.

? Voluntary use rule: If a worker chooses to wear a filtering facepiece (dust mask) voluntarily with no regulatory requirement, employers must provide Appendix D of 1910.134 in writing. Full program requirements apply for any other voluntarily-used respirator.

CHEAT SHEET 7 · Electrical Safety | 29 CFR 1910.303 / 1910.333 / 1910.269

Electrical violations span multiple standards: 1910.303 governs general electrical installation; 1910.333 covers work practices for energized electrical; 1910.269 applies specifically to electric power generation, transmission, and distribution workers. Together, these are among the most-cited and most-lethal violations in OSHA’s records.

Electrical Work PPE Summary

Standard	Who It Covers	Key PPE / Apparel Required	Max Penalty
1910.333(c)	Working on or near energized parts	Rubber insulating gloves, sleeves; arc-rated clothing	$161,323
1910.335	Working in areas with electrical hazards	Insulated tools, safety glasses, FR apparel	$16,131
1910.269(l)(6)	Utility workers near energized overhead lines	FR outer layer; voltage-rated rubber goods	$161,323
NFPA 70E	Arc flash energy 1.2 cal/cm² or greater	Arc-rated apparel at or above incident energy level	$161,323
1910.137	Electrical protective equipment (rubber goods)	ASTM D120 rubber gloves; must be tested every 6 months	$16,131

Energized Work Permit Requirements (NFPA 70E / 1910.333)

Energized electrical work requires a written Energized Electrical Work Permit unless the task meets one of the narrow exceptions (infeasibility of de-energizing, increased hazard from shutdown). The permit must include:

Description of the circuit and equipment to be worked on
Justification for performing energized work
A description of safe work practices to be employed
Results of the arc flash hazard analysis (incident energy and PPE category)
Means of restricting unqualified workers from the work area
Evidence of completion of a job briefing, including review of hazards
Approvals/signatures from authorized management

Shop Electrical Safety Apparel

› FR Shirts, Pants & Coveralls — ASTM F1506 arc-rated apparel for all NFPA 70E PPE categories

› Electrician FR Safety Vests — Arc-rated vests for electricians working near energized equipment

› FR Hi-Vis for Utility Work — Combined arc flash + ANSI Class 2/3 hi-vis for roadway utility workers

CHEAT SHEET 8 · Heat & Cold Stress | OSHA General Duty Clause / 1910.132

OSHA does not have a specific heat or cold stress standard, but employers are required under the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Heat and cold stress both qualify. OSHA actively cites employers for heat illness fatalities and serious injuries under this authority. A new proposed federal heat standard is expected to be finalized in 2025.

Heat Illness Prevention — Required Elements

Water, rest, and shade: 1 quart of cool water per worker per hour; shaded rest areas; rest schedules during high heat
Acclimatization program: New workers and returning workers after illness must be gradually exposed to heat over 7–14 days
Training: Workers and supervisors must be trained to recognize heat illness symptoms and emergency procedures
Emergency response plan: Procedures for calling emergency services; do not wait for worker to cool before calling 911
Heat stress monitoring: Use WBGT or Heat Index thresholds; implement engineering and administrative controls before relying solely on PPE

Cold Stress Prevention — Required Elements

Layered clothing system: Base layer (moisture-wicking), mid layer (insulation), outer shell (wind/waterproof)
Dry clothing policy: Wet clothing dramatically accelerates heat loss; require immediate change if clothing becomes wet
Warm-up break schedule: Implement warm-up rest periods in heated spaces at defined temperature/wind chill thresholds
Buddy system: Workers in cold environments should be monitored for signs of hypothermia (confusion, shivering, slurred speech)

Shop Cold & Heat Stress Apparel

› Hi-Vis Hoodies & Sweatshirts — Warm mid-layer options with ANSI Class 2 or 3 compliance

› Hi-Vis Jackets & Parkas — Insulated outer layers for cold-weather roadway and field work

› Cold Weather Coveralls — Full-body insulated protection for extreme cold environments

› Heat Stress Relief Accessories — Cooling towels, neck wraps, and evaporative vests for heat stress management

› Industrial Rain Gear — Waterproof outer layer to keep workers dry and prevent cold stress

Master Reference: OSHA’s Top-Cited Standards

Use this table as your at-a-glance reference during site walks and pre-audit reviews.

Standard	Who It Covers	Key PPE / Apparel Required	Max Penalty
1910.132 / 1926.28	All industries — PPE general requirements	Written hazard assessment; task-appropriate PPE	$161,323
1926.502	Construction — fall protection	Guardrails, nets, or PFAS at 6 ft	$161,323
1910.1200	All industries — HazCom / GHS	SDS, GHS labels, written program, training	$161,323
1926.451	Construction — scaffolding	Guardrails, planking, access, capacity posting	$161,323
1910.134	All industries — respiratory protection	Written program, fit test, medical eval, NIOSH respirator	$161,323
1926.1053	Construction — ladders	3-point contact, proper angle, inspection, training	$161,323
1910.147	All industries — lockout/tagout	Written LOTO program, energy control procedures, training	$161,323
1910.303	All industries — electrical general	Proper wiring, guarding, grounding, labeling	$161,323
1910.269	Utilities — electric power G/T/D	FR outer layer, rubber goods, qualified persons	$161,323
23 CFR 634	Roadway workers — hi-vis	ANSI 107 Class 2 or 3 hi-vis at all times in ROW	$16,131

Get Your Crew Compliant

Safety Smart Gear stocks a comprehensive range of OSHA-compliant PPE and safety apparel for general industry and construction, from hard hats and hearing protection to FR clothing, hi-vis, and rain gear. Whether you’re managing one crew or writing the PPE program for an entire organization, we offer competitive pricing, bulk discounts, and knowledgeable support.

Browse by category: All PPE · High Visibility Clothing · Flame Resistant Clothing

Questions about which products meet your specific standard? Call us at (508) 248-3141 or visit our Customer Support page. Our safety specialists are here to help you build a compliant PPE program from the ground up.