---
title: "What Is General Duty Clause? Heat Stress and Hydration Glossary"
description: "The General Duty Clause is Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act. It requires employers to keep workplaces free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious..."
url: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/general-duty-clause
publisher: JMAR Solutions
phone: +1-214-632-7780
quote: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/contact
---

Regulation

# General Duty Clause

The General Duty Clause is Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act. It requires employers to keep workplaces free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious harm.

The General Duty Clause is Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. It requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

There is no final federal heat standard as of November 2026, so OSHA uses this clause to cite heat hazards. OSHA says its Technical Manual uses WBGT to decide if a heat hazard was present. Employers can show they took the hazard seriously with a [heat illness prevention plan](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/heat-illness-prevention-plan), training and [water, rest, shade](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/water-rest-shade). See [OSHA heat rules](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/osha-heat-rules) and the [Heat NEP](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/osha-heat-nep). This is not legal advice.

[From JMAR SolutionsHydration programs and toolbox talks for crews](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/hydration-programs)

## Related terms

-   [OSHA heat NEP](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/osha-heat-nep)
-   [OSHA heat rule](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/osha-heat-rule)
-   [WBGT](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/wbgt)
-   [Heat illness prevention plan](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/heat-illness-prevention-plan)

## Sources

1.  [OSHA: Heat Overview](https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure)
2.  [OSHA: Heat Overview](https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure)

![Ironworkers silhouetted on a steel frame against a hot orange sunset](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/_astro/sunset-steel.IhAMDca0_6wk53.webp)

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