OSHA General Duty Clause

OSHA can cite an employer under the clause when no specific standard covers a hazard, if it proves the hazard existed, was recognized by the employer or its industry, was likely to cause death or serious harm, and had a feasible way to fix it. Penalties match other serious violations, up to 16,550 dollars each, or 165,514 dollars if willful or repeated. OSHA has used the clause for workplace heat and ergonomic hazards, which have no dedicated federal standard.

The General Duty Clause is how OSHA reaches warehouse heat and repetitive-lifting hazards, which have no specific federal standard. Fast-paced lifting, twisting and high temperatures in fulfillment buildings can support a citation if a feasible fix exists. For example, OSHA cited Amazon warehouses for ergonomic hazards under the clause after inspections that began in 2022, and Amazon agreed to a company-wide ergonomics settlement in December 2024. Operators should track heat conditions and injury trends and document their controls.

• Occupational Safety and Health Act of 19701970 · Federal workplace safety law that created OSHA
• OSHA Warehousing National Emphasis Program2023, renewed 2026 · OSHA program targeting warehouses for inspection
• Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Standard2024 · California heat rule for indoor workplaces

1. OSHA: OSH Act Section 5, duties osha.gov
2. US DOL news release: OSHA and Amazon ergonomics settlement (December 2024) dol.gov