Standard Interpretations
RSS Standard Interpretations Subscribe to our RSS Standard Interpretations feed.
OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Each letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information.
- 1904.7 - Clarification of a pre-existing injury or illness and recordable events - 02/28/2014
- 1904.7 - Clarification of the term "contemporaneous" as used in recordkeeping FAQ 7-10a. - 05/15/2007
- 1904.7 - Clarification of the term self-inflicted as used in the Recordkeeping standard - 03/31/2009
- 1904.7 - Clarification on hot therapy as first aid. - 02/16/2011
- 1904.7 - Clarification on pre-existing conditions and recordable incidents - 05/05/2010
- 1904.7 - Clarification on the recording of injuries involving broken or chipped teeth - 11/12/2015
- 1904.7 - Clarification on whether an exercise regime is first aid or medical treatment - 05/20/2011
- 1904.7 - Counting restricted days for a part-time employee - 03/30/2009
- 1904.7 - Determining whether an injury or illness is work-related and recordable - 10/19/2015
- 1904.7 - Determining whether daily stretches are considered medical treatment or fist-aid. - 12/14/2015
- 1904.7 - Evaluation of seven scenarios for work-relatedness and recordkeeping requirements. - 01/15/2004
- 1904.7 - Health impacts from shared office equipment. - 06/22/2009
- 1904.7 - No Restricted Work Available - 06/23/2006
- 1904.7 - Recording an absence as days away when PLHCP recommends the employee return to work. - 03/22/2011
- 1904.7 - Restrictions from restricted work activities. - 04/25/2006
- 1904.7 - Results of an MRI do not negate the recordability of a physician's recommendation. - 03/19/2003
- 1904.7 - Therapeutic exercise is considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes. - 05/21/2010
- 1904.7 - Use of kinesiology tape is not considered medical treatment beyond first aid. - 07/06/2015
- 1904.7 - Whether damage to employee dentures is a recordable injury. - 04/03/2007
- 1904.7(b)(3) - Clarification on how to count calendar days resulting in days away from work - 04/03/2019
- 1904.7(b)(3) - Foreign-Flag Vessels. - 03/06/2019
- 1904.7(b)(4) - Determining if a work-related injury or illness resulted in restricted work activity/Job Transfer - 11/21/2016
- 1904.7(b)(5) - Clarification on the use of a cold compression device is considered medical treatment. - 12/21/2017
- 1904.7(b)(5) - Clarification on the use of preventative exercise as an intervention strategy - 09/09/2016
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii) - Clarification of soft tissue massage - 05/23/2019
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii) - Clarification on the use of a cold therapy only setting on a therapeutic device is first-aid - 08/09/2018
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii) - Clarification on the use of cold therapy. - 11/14/2018
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii) - Determining whether Active Release Techniques (ART) constitutes first-aid or medical treatment. - 07/24/2006
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii) - Use of Zipstitich and Clozex to close a wound is medical treatment beyond first-aid. - 10/09/2019
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(A) - Clarification on prescription medications and recordkeeping requirements - 10/06/2009
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(A) - Recording of cases in which a health care professional issues a prescription, whether that prescription is filled or not. - 10/29/2001
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(B) - Immunizations or inoculations (except tetanus) are recordable when given in response to a workplace injury or illness. - 06/23/2003
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(D) - Use of liquid bandages on wounds is considered first aid. - 08/08/2002
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(F) - Recordkeeping Regulation contained in 29 CFR Part 1904 - 04/14/2016
- 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(F) - The use of braces with rigid stays. - 09/13/2018
- 1904.7(b)(7) - Clarification on the use of a rigid boot as a precautionary measure - 11/28/2017
- 1904.7(b)(7) - Determining if the employees experienced an injury or illness due to an exposure. - 09/14/2017