Agricultural operations applicability

The standards listed in 1928.21(a) apply to agricultural operations and are the only Part 1910 standards that automatically apply to farming unless otherwise noted. See 1928.21(a) for the list, which includes: temporary labor camps under 1910.142, storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia under 1910.111(a) and (b), logging operations under 1910.266, slow-moving vehicle markings under 1910.145, hazard communication under 1910.1200, cadmium under 1910.1027, retention of DOT markings under 1910.1201, and COVID-19 requirements in 1910.501 as limited by 1928.21(a)(8). Each listed item in 1928.21(a) is linked directly in the statute.

No — except for the specific exceptions listed in paragraph (a), the standards in subparts B through T and subpart Z of Part 1910 do not apply to agricultural operations. See 1928.21(b), which makes this exclusion explicit. Employers should follow the agriculture-specific rules in Part 1928 and the few Part 1910 standards named in 1928.21(a).

Yes — temporary labor camps at agricultural establishments are covered by 1910.142 when 1928.21(a)(1) is invoked. This means employers operating temporary labor camps must meet the sanitation, water supply, sewage, housing, and related requirements found in 1910.142.

Yes — storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia in agricultural operations are covered by the requirements in 1910.111(a) and (b). Employers must follow the safety requirements for design, operation, emergency equipment, and safe handling procedures specified in those paragraphs when anhydrous ammonia is present on the farm.

Yes — logging operations performed as part of agricultural activities are subject to 1910.266 when 1928.21(a)(3) applies. Employers performing logging-related tasks must comply with the hazard controls, training, equipment, and procedures set out in 1910.266.

Yes — slow-moving vehicle marking rules apply to agricultural slow-moving vehicles under 1910.145 as incorporated by 1928.21(a)(4). Employers should ensure tractors and other slow-moving vehicles display approved emblems and markings required by 1910.145 to increase visibility and reduce crash risk.

Agricultural employers must maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), ensure hazardous chemicals are labeled, and train employees about hazards and protective measures as required by 1910.1200, per 1928.21(a)(5). Employers should keep an up-to-date inventory of hazardous chemicals, provide SDS access, and train workers in a language and vocabulary they understand in accordance with 1910.1200.

The cadmium standard applies to agricultural operations only if workers are exposed to cadmium above levels covered by the standard — employers must comply with 1910.1027 when cadmium exposures occur, as noted in 1928.21(a)(6). If cadmium-containing materials (for example, certain fertilizers, pigments, or metal parts) create airborne exposures, employers must follow the exposure limits, monitoring, medical surveillance, and training requirements in 1910.1027.

It means employers must keep Department of Transportation (DOT) markings, placards, and labels on hazardous chemical containers and vessels as required by 1910.1201 when that provision applies under 1928.21(a)(7). Practically, do not remove or obscure DOT-required hazard markings and ensure required hazard information remains legible during storage, transport, and handling as specified in 1910.1201.

The COVID-19 standard 1910.501 applies to agricultural establishments only in the two scenarios specified in 1928.21(a)(8): when (1) eleven or more employees are engaged on any given day in hand-labor operations in the field (1928.21(a)(8)(i)), or (2) the establishment maintains a temporary labor camp regardless of the number of hand-labor employees (1928.21(a)(8)(ii)). See 1910.501 for the specific COVID-19 controls that apply when those thresholds are met.

No — a farm is not covered under 1910.501 by the employee-count criterion unless eleven (11) or more employees are engaged in hand-labor operations on any given day, per 1928.21(a)(8)(i). However, the COVID standard may still apply if the farm maintains a temporary labor camp as described in 1928.21(a)(8)(ii).

Yes — maintaining a temporary labor camp triggers coverage by 1910.501 regardless of how many hand-labor employees are engaged in the field on any given day, as stated in 1928.21(a)(8)(ii). See 1910.501 for the COVID-19 workplace requirements that would apply in that circumstance.

OSHA's February 5, 2025 memorandum states OSHA will not enforce the COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements under 29 CFR 1910.502, but it does not change the applicability of 1910.501 to agricultural establishments identified in 1928.21(a)(8). See the enforcement memo COVID-19 recordkeeping enforcement stay for details; employers covered by 1910.501 should still implement the infection prevention measures required by that standard and follow other applicable recordkeeping rules such as 29 CFR part 1904.

No — 1928.21(b) says subparts B–T and Z of Part 1910 do not apply to agricultural operations except as specified in paragraph (a); it does not create affirmative coverage for every item in Part 1910. Where specific hazards exist, employers must still protect workers under applicable law and commonly accepted agricultural rules (including other provisions of Part 1928 and other OSHA standards that were incorporated by reference). In short, general industry requirements like 1910.212 (machine guarding) or 1910.132 (PPE) are not automatically applicable unless the activity falls within a Part 1910 provision listed in 1928.21(a) or another standard specifically makes them applicable.

Whether a packing house is governed by Part 1928 or by Part 1910 depends on whether the activity is an agricultural operation as defined in the Act and OSHA rules; 1928.21 only brings the listed Part 1910 standards into agriculture. If the packing house activity is not an agricultural operation (for example, if it is purely a non-agricultural food processing operation), general industry standards in 1910 may apply. Employers should evaluate the nature of the work and consult 1928.21 and relevant state-plan guidance to determine which set of standards governs their operation.

You must follow the design, operation, and emergency requirements of 1910.111(a) and (b). Practically, that means: - Install tanks, piping, valves, and safety devices per the standard; - Maintain ventilation and access for emergency response; - Provide training and protective equipment for workers; and - Keep emergency procedures and communication systems ready. See 1910.111(a) and (b) for the specific design and operational requirements.

Yes — under the Hazard Communication standard 1910.1200 invoked by 1928.21(a)(5), employers must train employees on chemical hazards in a manner and language they understand. Training must cover labels, safety data sheets, and safe work practices described in 1910.1200.

The employer must comply with the exposure monitoring, medical surveillance, engineering controls, and training requirements in 1910.1027 once cadmium exposures reach regulated levels, as required by 1928.21(a)(6). Those steps include conducting exposure assessments, providing respiratory protection if necessary, and offering medical exams when the standard requires them.

Yes — the slow-moving vehicle emblem and marking requirements in 1910.145 apply to agricultural slow-moving vehicles and attachments as incorporated by 1928.21(a)(4). Employers should affix approved SMV emblems to tractors, towed equipment, and trailers used on roads or where needed for visibility per 1910.145.

The exact text is in 1928.21; paragraph (a) lists the Part 1910 standards that apply to agricultural operations and paragraph (b) states the remaining subparts of Part 1910 do not apply except as specified in (a). See 1928.21(a) and 1928.21(b).