Our OSHA Basics series of articles explains basic, fundamental, and important topics related to OSHA and OSHA compliance.
In this OSHA Basics article, we’re going to explain to you what “incorporation by reference” means. Incorporation by reference is also sometimes known by the acronym IBR.
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Incorporation by Reference
In many cases, an OSHA standard simply states a rule, spelling out the compliance requirement word-for-word.
In other cases, the OSHA standard won’t spell out the compliance requirement every time, but will instead say the employer must follow the rules set out in a different document, such as a consensus standard created by an organization such as ANSI.
This situation, in which an OSHA standard essentially says “do what it says to do in this other document,” is known as incorporation by reference, which is sometimes abbreviated as IBR.
Here’s how OSHA puts it in 1910.6 (the general industry standard:
The standards of agencies of the U.S. Government, and organizations which are not agencies of the U.S. Government which are incorporated by reference in this part, have the same force and effect as other standards in this part.
And they say the exact same thing in 1926.6 (the construction standard):
The standards of agencies of the U.S. Government, and organizations which are not agencies of the U.S. Government which are incorporated by reference in this part, have the same force and effect as other standards in this part.
Go here for a list of what’s incorporated by reference in the 1910 general industry standards.
Go here for a list of what’s incorporated by reference in the 1926 construction standards.
“Shalls” and “Shoulds” in Documents Incorporated By Reference
Many times, one of these documents/standards that’s incorporated by reference into an OSHA standard will have columns on the left that include the word “shall” and columns on the right that include a word such as “should” or “may.”
Shall means you must do it. May means it’s not required, but may be a good idea.
That’s what OSHA is getting at when, in discussing IBR, they say: “Only the mandatory provisions (i.e., provisions containing the word “shall” or other mandatory language) of standards incorporated by reference are adopted as standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.”
What does this mean to you? If an OSHA standard incorporates another standard or document by reference, and if that incorporated standard includes a mandatory (“shall”) section and an optional (“should”) section, you’re only required to comply with the mandatory section.
Conclusion: Incorporation by Reference
If you found this “OSHA Basics” article on incorporation by reference useful, you may also want to check out some of the following articles:
- OSHA Basics: Letters of Interpretation
- OSHA Basics: OSHA’s Consultation Services
- OSHA Basics: OSHA Directives
- OSHA Basics: OSHA Variances
- OSHA Basics: OSHA’s Vertical and Horizontal Standards
- OSHA Basics: OSHA’s Parts 1910 and 1926
- OSHA Basics: How OSHA Standards are Named and Numbered
- OSHA Basics: Incorporation by Reference (IBR)
- OSHA Basics: The OSHA Field Operations Manual
- OSHA Basics: OSHA’s Small Business Handbook
- OSHA Basics: The General Duty Clause-5.(a)(1)
- OSHA Basics: OSHA’s Special Industry Standards in Subpart R
- OSHA Basics: The OSHA Poster
- OSHA Basics: The Competent Person Role
- OSHA Basics: OSHA Penalties
- OSHA Basics: OSHA’s Yearly Top Ten Lists (Recent Years Overview)
- This three-article series on OSHA General Industry Compliance Requirements
- This three-article series on OSHA Inspections
And before you leave, download our free EFFECTIVE SAFETY TRAINING GUIDE, below.
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I’m getting conflicting replies to questions regarding IBR for process ventilation and combustible dust controls and protection. Under Federal OSHA, I don’t see that ANSI Z9.2 applies to all industries or industrial applications. Do you have more details on how best practices of ventilation design & operation are being regulated prior to an injury or illness?
Victor, that’s (1) a good question and (2) beyond my range of expertise.
What I’d recommend is contacting whichever OSHA office has jurisdiction in your state (Fed or state, if applicable) and talking with their consultive services.
Good luck!