Guidance Search
The Department of Labor provides this guidance search tool as a single, searchable location where users may search for guidance issued by any of the Department’s agencies, including significant guidance documents under Executive Order 12866. Individual guidance documents are maintained on the various agency websites, and if you know what agency you are looking for, you may also find guidance by navigating directly to that agency’s website. The Code of Federal Regulations and the Federal Register, which are not maintained by the Department, also include some of the Department’s interpretations of law and similar material.
The Department and its agencies issue guidance to provide clarifying information and technical assistance to the public on existing statutory and regulatory rights and obligations, inform the regulated community about best practices, and provide other useful information. The contents of these documents do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, except as authorized by law or incorporated into a contract, cooperative agreement, or grant.
Members of the public may petition the Department to modify or withdraw specific guidance documents. To petition for a significant guidance document to be created, modified, reconsidered, or rescinded, email the Department of Labor.
Petitions to Modify or Withdraw a DOL guidance document may also be submitted by mail at the address below. Petitions should identify the specific guidance document by name and include your reason(s) for requesting withdrawal or modification.
U.S. Department of Labor
Office of the Executive Secretariat
200 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20210
Search Tips
- If you are searching using an acronym, try a second search with the acronym spelled out. For example, if you are searching for guidance related to the Davis-Bacon Act, try searching "Davis-Bacon Act" as well as "DBA".
- For more specific results, use quotation marks around phrases.
- For more general results, remove quotation marks to search for each word individually. For example, minimum wage will return all documents that have either the word minimum or the word wage in the description, while “minimum wage” will limit results to those containing that phrase.
Whether various fees and expenses for services engaged by the Insurance Commissioner of the State of California in connection with terminating a plan would be appropriate expenses of the plan; and also whether the amendment of a plan to allow it to pay expenses would be an appropriate and permissible amendment.
The FLSA poster alone is insuffient. However, the combination of verbal notification, written notification in the employee handbok, and by pay check stub sufficiently comply with 203(m) notice requirements.
Clarifies which "board, lodging, and other facilities" an employer may legally include as part of comepnsation the resonable cost of furnishing meals or deduct this cost from wages even though the deduction reduces the pay below the minimum wage. Where the mployer makes payments to employees in the form of facilities which are considered as part of wages, the reasonable cost to the employer or the fair value of furnishing such facilities must be included in the regular rate.
Clarification of the OSHA standards applicable to H. VIR (inspection) Windows installed in electrical equipment enclosures. - [1910.399]
Training provisions of OSHA's HAZWOPER standard. - [1910.38; 1910.120]
Use of gasoline in underground construction. - [1926.800(m)(5)]
Overlap between FDA and OSHA in the regualtion of dental devices. - [1910.1200]
CPL 02-01-023 [CPL 2-1.23] - National - Inspection Procedures for Enforcing Subpart L, Scaffolds Used in Construction - 29 CFR 1926.450-454 - 01/07/1997
Whether the ServantCor Corporate Retirement Plan and certain welfare benefit plans maintained by ServantCor are "church plans," as defined in ERISA section 3(33), and therefore excluded from coverage by ERISA section 4(b)(2).
Whether the California State University, Hayward Foundation, Inc. may contract with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide for the participation of its employees as members without affecting the status of CalPERS as a “governmental plan” under ERISA section 3(32).
Clarification of overhead and gantry cranes. - [1910.179]
Information related to Bloodborne Pathogens. - [1910.1030]
Enforcement policy for stall loads of scaffold hoists. - [1926.451]
Interpretation on medical surveillance requirements under OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. - [1910.120; 1926.65 ]
This letter provides guidance on the 12-month leave period and the amount of leave available; and the employer's option to change the 12-month leave period.
This letter provides guidance on the definition of a "Serious Health Condition".
This letter provides guidance on the definition of "Serious Health Condition"; visits to the Doctor; and the definition of "continuing treatment".
Minimum width of roof bracket scaffolds. - [1926.451(b)(2)(i)]
Clarification regarding the policy for the use of seat belts on powered industrial trucks in general industry.
Interpretation of the First Aid standard. - [1910.151; 1910.151(b)]
Recording of atmospheric test results. - [1910.146]
Infeasibility of 6 foot free fall limit. - [1926.502]
Request for guidance concerning the determination of venture capital operating company status under 29 C.F.R. §2510.3-101.
An employer and its employees who agree that a payment for the first 15 minutes of the 30 minute lunch period does not make the remaining 15 minutes a paid break constituting compensable hours of work.
The FLSA does not require an employer to provide its employees with rest periods or breaks. If the employer decides to permit short breaks; however, the time is compensable hous worked.
Requirement to obtain a healthcare professional's written opinion in the "pre-exposure vaccination setting." - [1910.1030]
A possible conflict between exposure record retention. - [1910.146; 1910.1020]
Response regarding the application of the OSHA Process Safety Management Standard to utility LPG distribution facilities. - [1910.119]
Dancers are paid a flat fee for each dance they perform and are not considered to be compensated on the basis of commissions within the meaning of 7(i).
This letter provides guidance on the substitution of paid leave as FMLA leave; and the employer's policies.
Compressed gas cylinders. - [1910.103]
Railroad tankcars off-loading points at an industrial facility. - [1910.27; 1975.1]
Application and enforcement of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard in a barber shop. - [1910.1030]
CPL 02-01-004 [CPL 2-1.4C] - National - Inspection of Grain Handling Facilities, 29 CFR 1910.272. - 11/08/1996
Definition of a Hazardous Substance. - [1910.120]
Discrepancy between the Joint Commission and OSHA posting requirements for isolation rooms. - [1910.145]
The NACOSH report regarding hazard communication. - [1910.1200]
Housing provided primarily for the benefit of the employee and its cost may be considered part of the employees wages.
Response: Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (BBP) and Alaska CASPA - Code Interpretation. - [1910.1030]
Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals and process hazard analyses. - [1910.111; 1910.119; 1928.21]
Whether the Moorestown Friends School Pension Plan is a “church plan”, as defined in ERISA section 3(33), and therefore excluded from ERISA Title I coverage by ERISA section 4(b)(2).
Whether the Health Care Provider Benefit Plans, Inc. Fringe Benefit Welfare Plan is established and maintained by a "group or association of employers" within the meaning ERISA section 3(5) and whether it is an “employee welfare benefit plan” within the meaning of ERISA section 3(1).
Clarification of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard as it relates to syringes and needles contaminated with both a bloodborne pathogen and radioactive nuclear medicine. - [1910.1030]
Consultants performing lockout/tagout periodic inspections. - [1910.147]
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requirements for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). - [1910.1200]
Telecommunication companies compliance with standard dealing with toilet facilities. - [1910.141]
This letter provides guidance on leave to care for child newly placed in foster care.
Use of potable water. - [1910.141]
Guidelines for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs for Night Retail Establishments.
Whether an employee benefit plan's investment in certain "pass-through certificates" representing interests in a trust would constitute "equity interests," as that term in used in the plan assets regulation (29 C.F.R. 2510.3-101) under ERISA.
Clarification of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. - [1910.1200]
Enforcement of Fall Protection on Moving Stock. - [1910 Subpart D; 1910.132(d)]
Enforcement of the Use of Seat Belts on Powered Industrial Trucks in General Industry. - [1910.178]
Whether the status of the County Employees' Retirement System (CERS) as a “governmental plan” within the meaning of ERISA section 3(32) and ERISA section 4(b)(1) would be adversely affected if employees of Kentucky Association of Counties were permitted to participate in CERS.
Inquiry on beards, respirator use, and fit testing of repirators. - [1910.134]
Food Inspectors lockout/tagout procedures. - [1910.147]
Whether certain employee benefit plans sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word are “church plans” within the meaning of ERISA section 3(33) and thus excluded from the requirements of Title I by ERISA section 4(b)(2).
Whether the Denver Fire and Police Health Fund is excluded from Title I of ERISA as a “governmental plan” within the meaning of ERISA section 3(32).
Whether the City of Aurora Employees' Health Fund is excluded from Title I of ERISA as a “governmental plan” within the meaning of ERISA section 3(32).
CPL 02-01-022 [CPL 2-1.22] - National - Logging Operations, Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance Including Twelve Previously Stayed Provisions - 09/27/1996
Interpretation of the overhead and gantry cranes standard. - [1910.179]
Whether certain benefit plans established by the Brook Lane Psychiatric Center, Inc. for its employees are “church plans” as defined in ERISA section 3(33) , and therefore excluded from ERISA Title I coverage by ERISA section 4(b)(2).
The OSHA policy on the use of disinfectants that are registered with the EPA as being effective against HBV and HIV. - [1910.1030; 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)]
Whether the Retirement Plan for Employees of Mercy Providence Hospital and the Mercy Providence Hospital Group Health Plan are “church plans” within the meaning of ERISA section 3(33).
Clarification on the documentation of inspections and tests required under the mechanical integrity provisions. - [1910; 1910.119]
Voluntary safety and health audits under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. - [1910.1020; 1910.95; 1910.119; 1910.120; 1910.132; 1910.134; 1910.137; 1910.146; 1910.147; 1910.272; 1910.1025; 1926.20]
Presence of push labels on emergency stop button notifications. - [1910.144]
Compensability of training time based on whether the state requires individuals to take training as a condition of employment or whether a state requires an employer to provide training as a condition of license to operate the business.
Questions concerning OSHA's Asbestos Standard. - [1910.1001; 1926.1101]
An installation which has permanent davit arms and davit bases, but does not have a powered platform; a rental stage is brought in for maintenance. - [1910.28; 1910.66]
Asbestos Standard for Construction. - [1910.1001; 1926.1101]
Belt mounted filtration unit used with any NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator. - [1910.134]
Machine anchoring requirements as it may apply to the dental polishing lathes. - [1910.212]
Particulate Respirators Certified under 42 CFR Part 84. - [1910.134]
PEL for inorganic mercury is a time weighted average, not a ceiling. - [1910.1000 TABLE Z-2]
The NOWPAK Solvent Dispensing System. - [1910.106]
Appropriateness of the usage of video presentations in meeting the OSHA bloodborne training requirements. - [1910.1030]
The SPS "Needle-Eater" and accessory sharps transfer container. - [1910.1030]
Whether the NML Employee Disability Income Plan is an “employee welfare benefit plan” within the meaning of ERISA section 3(1).
Clarification of Asbestos standard. - [1926.1101]
DOT Approved Gas Cans. - [1926.152]
Interpretation of the electic power generation, transmission and distribution (electric power generation) standard. - [1910.269]
Railroad workers and their exposure to crystalline silica. - [1910.1000]
Chest X-ray and sputum cytology requirements. - [1910.1018; 1910.1029]
Distinction between premises wiring installations and electric transmission or distribution installations. - [1910.269; 1910 Subpart S]
Process Safety Management of highly hazardous chemicals standard. - [1910.106; 1910.119]
Interpretative guidance and equipment approved for hazardous locations relative to the Permit-Required Confined Spaces standard. - [1910.146]
OSHA's requirement for certification for building roof anchor points & the "Certificate of Regulation Compliance Building" form. - [1910.28; 1910.66]
Whether certain collective investment vehicles established by Scudder Trust Company are and would continue to be viewed as pooled investment funds "maintained by a bank or trust company" within the meaning of the statutory exemptions in ERISA section 408(b)(8) and Internal Revenue Code section 4975(d)(8) and PTE 91-38 if the Trust Company retains its parent company to manage the Funds.
This letter provides guidance on designation of leave; compensatory time off; care of immediate family member; and spouses working for the same employer.
Electrical Workers. - [1910.269]
Medical surveillance requirement in the Vinyl Chloride Standard 1910.1017. - [1910.1017]
CPL 02-00-112 [CPL 2.112] - National - Nationwide Quick-Fix Program - 08/02/1996
Unpaid volunteer firefighters who are required to "volunteer" in order to be considered for paid fire fighter positions are not volunteers within the meaning of the FLSA. They are not performing the service for civic, humatarian or charitable reasons.
Clarification of employers' use of floor fans. - [1910.212]
This letter provides guidance on the purpose of FMLA.
Whether a schedule of "usual and customary" fees, which is used as a basis for determining the dollar amount that will be paid for health claims made under a welfare benefit plan, must be made available for examination and/or furnished by the plan administrator upon the request of a plan participant or beneficiary under ERISA sections 104(b)(2) and 104(b)(4).
Use of insulated hand tools. - [1910.335(a)(2)(i)]
Whether the La Salle College High School 403(b) Retirement Plan and the La Salle College High School Flexible Compensation Plan are “church plans” within the meaning of ERISA section 3(33) and therefore exempt from coverage under Title I of ERISA by section 4(b)(2).
Enforcement of the fall protection standard and fall protection options. - [1926.501; 1926.502]
This button allows you to download all records in the database as of 1:00 am ET today into a CSV file. Please note that record changes made today will not be reflected until tomorrow.