OSHA Recordable Incident
A work-related injury or illness that meets OSHA criteria for recording on the OSHA 300 Log.
Key Facts
- Criteria: death, days away, restricted work, medical treatment beyond first aid
- "First aid" is narrowly defined by OSHA (e.g., band-aids, non-Rx meds)
- All work-related fatalities reported to OSHA within 8 hours
- Hospitalizations, amputations, and eye loss reported within 24 hours
An injury or illness is recordable under OSHA if it results in: death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or a significant injury/illness diagnosed by a physician or licensed healthcare professional. "First aid" is specifically defined and includes: non-prescription medications at non-prescription strength, tetanus immunizations, wound cleaning/flushing, butterfly bandages, splints, and similar treatments. Anything beyond first aid makes the case recordable.
OSHA Compliance Records Compared
Key OSHA recordkeeping and enforcement concepts employers must understand.
| Type | What It Is | Who Maintains | Reporting Trigger | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA 300 Log | Injury & illness record | Employers (10+ employees) | Recordable incident occurs | 5 years |
| Recordable Incident | Work-related injury/illness | Recorded on the 300 Log | Medical treatment beyond first aid | N/A (logged on 300) |
| OSHA Citation | Notice of violation | Issued by OSHA | Inspection finds violation | Until abated |
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