Accurate record-keeping of work-related injuries and illnesses is a critical component of ensuring workplace safety and compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations. OSHA defines certain criteria for when an injury or illness must be recorded in company logs. This article outlines OSHA’s definitions of recordable injuries and illnesses, first aid, and guidance for determining whether a specific case should be recorded.
What Does OSHA Define as a Recordable Injury or Illness?
A recordable injury or illness is any work-related incident that meets specific criteria outlined by OSHA. According to the guidelines, an injury or illness must be recorded when it falls into one of the following categories:
Any work-related fatality: If the injury results in a fatality, it must be recorded, regardless of the cause.
Any work-related injury or illness that results in:
Loss of consciousness
Days away from work: If the employee must take time off due to the injury.
Restricted work: If the employee is restricted in their ability to perform their usual job duties.
Transfer to another job: If the employee is reassigned to a different role or task due to the injury or illness.
Any work-related injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid: Medical treatment, as defined below, includes treatments such as stitches or prescription medications.
Specific work-related conditions that require recording: These include conditions like:
Diagnosed cancer
Chronic irreversible diseases
Fractured or cracked bones or teeth
Punctured eardrums
Special Recording Criteria: Certain types of incidents also have special recording requirements, including:
Needle-stick and sharps injuries
Medical removal
Hearing loss
Tuberculosis (TB)
For further details on the full scope of recordable injuries and illnesses, please visit OSHA’s official page here.
What Does OSHA Define as First Aid?
First aid involves minimal intervention to treat minor injuries or conditions and is not considered medical treatment under OSHA’s record-keeping rules. The following actions are considered first aid, and injuries or illnesses treated with these methods do not require recording:
Non-prescription medications: Using over-the-counter medications at non-prescription strength (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) is considered first aid. However, if a physician recommends a stronger dose or prescription version, it is considered medical treatment.
Immunizations: Administering tetanus shots is considered first aid. However, other immunizations (such as the Hepatitis B vaccine or rabies vaccine) are considered medical treatment.
Wound care: Cleaning, flushing, or soaking wounds on the skin surface, or using bandages like Band-Aids™, gauze pads, or butterfly bandages is first aid. Sutures or staples, on the other hand, are considered medical treatment.
Hot or cold therapy: Applying heat or cold to the affected area for pain relief is considered first aid.
Non-rigid support: Using non-rigid supports such as elastic bandages, wraps, or non-rigid back belts is first aid. Rigid supports, such as splints or braces, are considered medical treatment.
Temporary immobilization: Using devices like slings, neck collars, or backboards to temporarily immobilize a person during transport is considered first aid.
Foreign body removal: Removing splinters or foreign materials (other than from the eye) through simple means like tweezers or cotton swabs is first aid. However, more invasive procedures are considered medical treatment.
Eye care: Using eye patches or irrigating the eye to remove foreign bodies is considered first aid.
Massage: Physical therapy or chiropractic treatment goes beyond first aid and is considered medical treatment.
Heat stress: Drinking fluids for relief of heat stress is also considered first aid.
For further details, visit OSHA’s official page here.
How Do I Decide Whether a Particular Injury or Illness is Recordable?
To determine whether a specific injury or illness needs to be recorded, OSHA provides a detailed guide. Here are a few general factors to consider when deciding:
Severity of the injury or illness: If the injury requires medical treatment beyond first aid, results in lost time from work, or involves permanent damage, it is likely recordable.
Type of treatment required: If the treatment required exceeds basic first aid (such as sutures, prescription medication, or physical therapy), the injury or illness should be recorded.
Duration of absence or restrictions: If the injury or illness leads to days away from work, restricted duties, or transfer to another job, it qualifies as recordable.
Special conditions: Injuries or illnesses like needle-stick injuries, hearing loss, or certain types of respiratory diseases have special recording criteria.
For more detailed guidance on how to decide whether an injury or illness is recordable, you can refer to the full regulations in OSHA Standard 1904.4 available here.
Conclusion
OSHA’s record-keeping definitions ensure consistency and clarity when it comes to documenting workplace injuries and illnesses. By understanding what constitutes a recordable injury and the guidelines for first aid versus medical treatment, employers can maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Accurate record-keeping helps improve safety, monitor trends, and reduce workplace hazards, ultimately fostering a safer environment for all employees.
Download the OSHA Record-Keeping Definitions PDF here: