OSHA Record Keeping and Requirements

Understanding OSHA record keeping and requirements is essential for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that employers keep thorough records of workplace injuries and illnesses to help monitor safety, identify trends, and prevent future incidents. This documentation is not only a regulatory requirement but also a critical tool in assessing the effectiveness of safety measures and protocols. By diligently following OSHA’s guidelines, organizations can ensure they meet legal standards, enhance workplace safety, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement in health and safety practices.

As per the Occupational Safety and health Administration, “Many employers with more than 10 employees are required to keep a record of serious work-related injuries and illnesses. (Certain low-risk industries are exempted.)

Although dental and physician offices are exempt, keep in mind that dental and physician offices are not exempt from recording injuries on a sharps injury log or from documenting incidents of exposures to bloodborne pathogens. Additionally, other injuries, including first aid, should be documented.

How does OSHA record keeping requirements define a recordable injury or illness?

Any work-related fatality.
Any work-related injury or illness that results in loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work, or transfer to another job.
Any work-related injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid.
Any work-related diagnosed case of cancer, chronic irreversible diseases, fractured or cracked bones or teeth, and punctured eardrums.

There are also special recording criteria for work-related cases involving: needlesticks and sharps injuries; medical removal; hearing loss; and tuberculosis.

How does OSHA define first aid?

Using a non-prescription medication at nonprescription strength (for medications available in both prescription and non-prescription form, a recommendation by a physician or other licensed health care professional to use a non-prescription medication at prescription strength is considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes);
Administering tetanus immunizations (other immunizations, such as Hepatitis B vaccine or rabies vaccine, are considered medical treatment); Cleaning, flushing or soaking wounds on the surface of the skin
Using wound coverings such as bandages, Band-Aids™, gauze pads, etc.; or using butterfly bandages or Steri-Strips™ (other wound closing devices such as sutures, staples, etc., are considered medical treatment);
Using hot or cold therapy;
Using any non-rigid means of support, such as elastic bandages, wraps, non-rigid back belts, etc. (devices with rigid stays or other systems designed to immobilize parts of the body are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes);
Using temporary immobilization devices while transporting an accident victim (e.g., splints, slings, neck collars, back boards, etc.). Drilling of a fingernail or toenail to relieve pressure, or draining fluid from a blister;
Using eye patches;
Removing foreign bodies from the eye using only irrigation or a cotton swab;
Removing splinters or foreign material from areas other than the eye by irrigation, tweezers, cotton swabs or other simple means;
Using finger guards;
Using massages (physical therapy or chiropractic treatment are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes); or
Drinking fluids for relief of heat stress.

This information helps employers, workers and OSHA evaluate the safety of a workplace, understand industry hazards, and implement worker protections to reduce and eliminate hazards -preventing future workplace injuries and illnesses.”

All employers that are required to maintain an OSHA 300 Injury and Illness log must post the accompanying OSHA 300A summary sheet in their workplace. The OSHA Form 300A ‘Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses’ for the 2022 calendar year must be posted beginning Tuesday, February 1. The summary log must be posted at each facility in a common area where all employees are accustomed to viewing notices until Saturday, April 30.

Prior to posting the 300A form, an employer or company executive must review the related OSHA 300 log and certify that the documented information is correct and complete by signing/dating the OSHA 300A summary form. Companies with no recordable injuries or illnesses must post the summary form showing zeros on the total line. If you have any questions about what injuries and illnesses must be documented, read OSHA Guidelines for Recordkeeping (29 CFR 1904).

If your organization is concerned about OSHA record keeping and reporting requirements, contact the experts at MedSafe.

MedSafe is the leading one-stop resource in providing safety and compliance training programs in the United States. We offer onsite training and a wide variety of online training courses.

Toll-free: (888) MED-SAFE

www.medsafe.com

References:

https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/