---
kind: "section"
citation: "29 U.S.C. § 654"
title: "29"
title_heading: "Labor"
number: "654"
heading: "Duties of employers and employees"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/29/654"
units:
  - "Chapter 15 — Occupational Safety and Health"
---

# §654. Duties of employers and employees

- (a) Each [employer](/usc/29/652.md?p=5)—
  - (1) shall furnish to each of his [employees](/usc/29/652.md?p=6) employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his [employees](/usc/29/652.md?p=6);
  - (2) shall comply with [occupational safety and health standards](/usc/29/652.md?p=8) promulgated under this chapter.
- (b) Each [employee](/usc/29/652.md?p=6) shall comply with [occupational safety and health standards](/usc/29/652.md?p=8) and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this chapter which are applicable to his own actions and conduct.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–596, § 5, Dec. 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 1593.)