Red Light Therapy Wraps

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

July 28, 2025

Lori Frederic, CMT, CSCS
Balance Biomechanics
6908 South Hill Street
Littleton, CO 80120

Dear Ms. Frederic:

Is the use of paraffin wax as a form of topical heat application considered medical treatment beyond first aid for OSHA recordkeeping purposes

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

October 22, 2024

Brandi Edmonds, RN, FNP-C
9314 McCombs Court
Lafayette, IN  47905


Dear Ms. Edmonds:

Thank you for your letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding the recordkeeping regulation contained in 29 CFR Part 1904 - Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.  Specifically, you asked whether the use of paraffin wax as a form of topical heat application is considered medical treatment beyond first aid for OSHA recordkeeping purposes.

Are work-related human bites recordable on the OSHA form 300 when the skin is broken, and the wound is bleeding?

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Are work-related human bites recordable on the OSHA form 300 when the skin is broken, and the wound is bleeding?

Answer:

A work-related injury or illness resulting from a human bite is recordable if it meets any of the recording criteria (i.e. if it requires medical treatment beyond first aid, restricted work activity or transfer to another job, days away from work, or results in a loss of consciousness).

An employee's normal shift is 6:00 PM to 2:30 AM. The employee starts his shift at 6:00PM on Monday and sustains a work-related injury at 12:30AM Tuesday. The injury results in the employee going to a physician who excuses the employee from work for Tuesd

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: An employee's normal shift is 6:00 PM to 2:30 AM. The employee starts his shift at 6:00PM on Monday and sustains a work-related injury at 12:30AM Tuesday. The injury results in the employee going to a physician who excuses the employee from work for Tuesd

Answer:

Days away from work and days of restricted work activity are determined by calendar days rather than scheduled work shifts. You begin counting days away from work or days of restricted work activity on the day after the injury occurred or the illness began. Because the employee was injured Tuesday and returned to work on the subsequent day, Wednesday, there are no days away from work involved in this scenario. However, because the employee was unable to work part of the workday (Wednesday 12:00 AM to 2:30AM), the injury resulted in one day of restricted work activity.

How many calendar days are to be counted in the case of a work-related fatal injury or illness?

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How many calendar days are to be counted in the case of a work-related fatal injury or illness?

Answer:

None. Employers are required to record a case based on the most severe outcome, so even where an employee has sustained days away from work before that employee dies, the fatality would be the most severe outcome. In the case of a work-related fatality, enter a checkmark in column G (death) on the Form 300.

Are sutures used to treat lacerations considered "first aid?"

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Are sutures used to treat lacerations considered "first aid?"

Answer:

No, using sutures to treat lacerations is not considered "first aid" for recordkeeping purposes. Sutures are wound closing devices. Sutures and other wound closing devices, except for butterfly and Steri-Strips, are considered medical treatment per 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(D).