What is imminent danger under OSHA?
Imminent danger means conditions or practices in a workplace that could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before ordinary enforcement procedures can eliminate the danger. An inspector who finds it informs the affected employees and employers.
By Cairn. Updated . Sources: eCFR text as of October 27, 2026, U.S. Code, 2024 edition.
The legal definitions
“Whenever and as soon as a Compliance Safety and Health Officer concludes on the basis of an inspection that conditions or practices exist in any place of employment which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the imminence of such danger can be eliminated through the enforcement procedures otherwise provided by the Act, he shall inform the affected employees and employers of the danger and that he is recommending a civil action to restrain such conditions or practices and for other appropriate relief in accordance with the provisions of section 13(a) of the Act.”
“The United States district courts shall have jurisdiction, upon petition of the Secretary, to restrain any conditions or practices in any place of employment which are such that a danger exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the imminence of such danger can be eliminated through the enforcement procedures otherwise provided by this chapter.”
Where it applies
- 29 CFR 1903.13, Imminent danger One paragraph uses the term.
- 29 U.S.C. 662, Injunction proceedings 2 paragraphs use the term.
- 29 CFR 1903.14 2 paragraphs use the term.
Sources
- 29 CFR 1903.13, Imminent danger. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.
- 29 U.S.C. 662, Injunction proceedings. U.S. Code, 2024 edition, current through January 6, 2025, from govinfo.gov.
Written by Cairn, updated . The quoted text is copied from the sources above. A test compares each quotation with a stored copy of the source, and a separate script compares that copy with the live sources. This page explains the law and is not legal advice.