OSHA Basics: How OSHA Standards Are Named and Numbered

Our OSHA Basics series of articles explains fundamental topics related to OSHA compliance.

In this article, we explain how OSHA standards are named and numbered, breaking down the letters and numbers in the official system. If you have ever wondered how are OSHA standards organized in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this guide will help.

The Naming & Numbering System of OSHA Standards

Let’s break down the parts of the “name” of an OSHA standard and how the naming and numbering system is structured.

OSHA standards follow a structured naming and numbering system designed to make them consistent and easy to navigate. Every standard has a place in the larger framework of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and its “name” reflects that placement.

At a high level, the system uses a sequence of Titles, Chapters, Parts, Subparts, and Sections. This layered structure ensures that standards are organized logically, whether they apply to general industry, construction, maritime, or agriculture. By learning how the system is set up, you can more easily locate the specific OSHA requirements that apply to your workplace.

This structure is what creates the official OSHA standards numbering system, ensuring each requirement can be quickly identified and applied.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

The Code of Federal Regulations, or CFR, is the codification of the general and permanent rules and regulations published in the Federal Register by U.S. government agencies. The CFR is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to federal regulation.

Title 29 of the CFR is devoted to the U.S. Department of Labor. The OSHA standards are all included in Title 29 of the CFR.

Chapters

Each CFR Title, including Title 29 (Labor), is divided into Chapters. A Chapter identifies the specific federal agency responsible for issuing and enforcing the regulations that follow. For OSHA, that means all workplace safety rules fall within Chapter XVII of Title 29 CFR.

In other words, the Chapter designation tells you which agency’s rules you are looking at. When you see 29 CFR Chapter XVII, you know immediately that the standards come from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. From there, the regulations are broken down further into Parts, Subparts, and Sections, which together form the official OSHA standards numbering system.

Parts in OSHA Standards

Each Chapter is divided into Parts. This is where the OSHA standard naming system may begin to seem a bit familiar to you.

Some parts to know about include:

• Part 1903: Inspections, Citations, and Proposed Penalties
• Part 1904: Recordkeeping and Reporting Occupational Injuries & Illnesses
• Part 1908: Consultation Agreements
• Part 1910: Occupational Safety and Health Standards (General Industry)
• Part 1915: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Shipyard Employment
• Part 1917: Marine Terminals
• Part 1918: Safety and Health Regulations for Longshoring
• Part 1926: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
• Part 1928: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Agriculture
• Part 1949: Office of Training and Education, OSHA

It’s most common to hear people talking about Part 1910 for General Industry and Part 1926 for Construction, but as you see, there are more Parts. Click to see a complete list of the Parts.

Subparts

Parts can be broken down into Subparts.

For example, Part 1910 (General Industry) has many Subparts. Some of those Part 1910 Subparts include:

• Subpart D, Walking/Working Surfaces
• Subpart E, Means of Egress
• Subpart G, Occupational Health and Environmental Control
• Subpart H, Hazardous Materials
• Subpart I, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Subpart K, Medical and First Aid
• Subpart L, Fire Protection
• Subpart N, Materials Handling and Storage
• Subpart O, Machinery and Machine Guarding
• Subpart P, Hand and Portable Powered Tools
• Subpart Q, Welding, Cutting, and Brazing
• Subpart R, Special Industries
• Subpart S, Electrical
• Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances

Click to see a list of all of the Part 1910 Subparts.

Sections

Subparts are divided into Sections. Each Section is identified with a number that continues sequentially through all Subparts.

For example, Subpart D is divided into the following sections:

• 1910.21 Scope and Definitions
• 1910.22 General Requirements
• 1910.23 Ladders
• 1910.24 Step bolts and manhole steps
• 1910.25 Stairways
• 1910.26 Dockboards
• 1910.27 Scaffolds and Rope Descent Systems
• 1910.28 Duty to Have Fall Protection and Falling Object Protection
• 1910.29 Fall Protection Systems and Falling Object Protection–Criteria and Practices
• 1910.30 Training Requirements

As we mentioned earlier, the numbering sequence within Part 1910 begins with the earliest Subparts and carries through all the Subparts. So, notice that the first Section in Subpart D is numbered 1910.21. If you look at Subpart C, you’ll find 1910.20 (and Sections with lower numbers) and if you look at Subpart E you’ll find 1910.31 (and Sections with higher numbers).

Major Topic Paragraphs and Sub-Divisions

Sections are then divided into six separate sub-levels or sub-divisions, and the first, or highest-level subdivision, is the Major Topic Paragraph.

These different sub-divisions are identified with a series of letters, numbers, and Roman numerals in the following pattern:

(lower case letter)(number)(lower case Roman numeral)(number in italic font)(number in italic font) (lower case Roman numeral in italic font)

Here’s an example: 29 CFR 1910.110 (b)(13)(ii)(b)(7)(iii)

Notice that the six letters and numbers used to sub-divide each Section are made up of two similar halves–letter, number, and Roman numeral followed by letter, number, and Roman numeral.

Also, be aware that after 1979, the letter in the fourth set of parentheses is capitalized, although in our example above, we show it in a lower-case.

Now, let’s get back to the Major Topic Paragraph. It’s the first of those six sub-divisions, so in our example it’s the “(b)” that we’ve bolded below:

29 CFR 1910.110 (b)(13)(ii)(b)(7)(iii)

Paragraph Sub-Sections

Major Topic Paragraphs and divided into Paragraph Sub-Sections (and then further, smaller sub-divisions). In the example below, the paragraph sub-section is the “(13)”

29 CFR 1910.110 (b)(13)(ii)(b)(7)(iii)

Additional Sub-Divisions

Then, as we said, Paragraph Sub-Sections can be further divided, as we’ve shown in our example:

29 CFR 1910.110 (b)(13)(ii)(b)(7)(iii)

Now, remember: just because all of these potential sub-divisions are available to the writers of OSHA Standards, that doesn’t mean they’re used in every case. But you knew that 🙂

OSHA Standards Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How are OSHA standards organized in the CFR?

OSHA standards are organized under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Title 29 is divided into Chapters, which are further broken down into Parts, Subparts, and Sections. This system creates the official OSHA standards numbering structure and makes it easy to find specific requirements.

What are the 4 groups of OSHA standards?

OSHA standards fall into four groups: General Industry, Construction, Maritime, and Agriculture. These correspond to Parts 1910, 1926, 1915–1919, and 1928 within Title 29 CFR.

What is the purpose of the OSHA standards naming and numbering system?

The OSHA standards naming and numbering system ensures consistency, clarity, and accessibility. Each standard’s citation shows its place within the CFR, helping safety professionals and compliance officers quickly identify the correct regulation.

How are OSHA standards identified by number?

OSHA standards are identified by a CFR citation such as 29 CFR 1910.23. The “29” refers to Title 29 (Labor), “1910” designates the General Industry Part, and “.23” points to the specific Section on ladders. This numbering method ensures each rule is precise and easy to reference.

Conclusion: How OSHA Standards Are Named and Numbered

Understanding the OSHA standards naming and numbering system is an important step in making sense of compliance requirements. By knowing how standards are organized in the CFR and how each citation is structured, safety professionals can quickly locate the rules that apply to their industry and ensure they are meeting OSHA’s expectations.

If you found this OSHA Basics article helpful, you may also want to explore additional resources to deepen your knowledge of workplace safety and compliance:

• OSHA’s 29 CFR Index
• OSHA 1910 vs. 1926 Overview
• Vector EHS Compliance and Certification Solutions
• Vector Learning Management System (LMS)

Taking time to understand how OSHA standards are organized and identified will not only make compliance easier but will also support a stronger culture of safety across your organization.