Definitions for this part

The Assistant Secretary is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. This is the definition given by 1911.2(a).

• Use this title when a regulation in this part refers to the "Assistant Secretary"—it means that specific official.

The "Act" refers to the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 650). This definition appears in 1911.2(b).

• When a rule in this part mentions the "Act," read it as the federal OSH Act specified in the definition.

A "standard" means an occupational safety and health standard that requires specific conditions or the adoption or use of one or more practices, means, methods, operations, or processes needed to provide safe or healthful employment, and that is to be promulgated, modified, or revoked under section 6(b) of the Act. See 1911.2(c).

• Key points: it is mandatory (it requires actions or conditions), it is intended to protect worker safety and health, and it must be issued or changed in accordance with the procedures in section 6(b) of the Act.

A "particular statute" means any of the specific federal statutes listed in the definition: the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act, the Service Contract Act of 1965, the Construction Safety Act, the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, or the National Foundation on Arts and Humanities Act. See 1911.2(d).

• The listed statutes are identified by name and citation in the definition; only these statutes are covered under the phrase "particular statute."

These definitions apply throughout this part unless the context clearly requires a different meaning. That is the opening provision of 1911.2.

• Practically, read terms using these definitions by default, but if a specific section uses a word in a different, clearly indicated way, follow that section's usage instead.

It means the definitions in this section are the default meanings, but if a later provision in the same part plainly uses a term in a different way, that specific usage governs for that provision. See 1911.2.

• In practice, check the specific section you're relying on for any different definitions or clarifying language before applying the general definition.

No—under 1911.2(c), a "standard" is an occupational safety and health rule that requires conditions or the adoption or use of specific practices, means, or methods; it is mandatory rather than merely advisory.

• Guidance, recommendations, or advisory materials that do not require actions are not standards as defined here.

Yes, the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act is specifically listed as a "particular statute" in 1911.2(d).

• That means when the part refers to a "particular statute," the Walsh-Healey Act is one of the statutes intended by that phrase.

Yes, the Service Contract Act of 1965 is listed among the "particular statutes" in 1911.2(d).

• Refer to that subsection when the rules in this part mention obligations tied to "particular statutes."

Yes, the Construction Safety Act is explicitly named as a "particular statute" in 1911.2(d).

• Its inclusion means references to "particular statute" in this part may concern obligations under that Act.

Yes, the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act is one of the statutes listed as a "particular statute" in 1911.2(d).

• When compliance references a "particular statute," consider that act among the statutes identified by the definition.

Yes, the National Foundation on Arts and Humanities Act is included in the list of "particular statutes" in 1911.2(d).

• That statute is part of the limited list the definition covers when the part mentions a "particular statute."

Cite the relevant subsection and text and state that you are using the definition as provided in this part—for example, "Definitions from 1911.2(c) apply".

• Use the exact subsection when practical (e.g., 1911.2(a), 1911.2(b), etc.) so readers can find the authoritative definition quickly.

A "standard" must be promulgated, modified, or revoked in accordance with section 6(b) of the [Act], as stated in 1911.2(c).

• That links the substance of a standard to the rulemaking procedures in the OSH Act (section 6(b)), so a requirement only qualifies as a "standard" if it follows those procedures.