What Is an OSHA Recordable Injury?
A work-related injury or illness must be recorded under Occupational Safety and Health Administration if it requires medical treatment beyond first aid. OSHA monitors workplace safety standards.
OSHA has prescribed safety regulations to prevent hazards of employees working in private and public sectors. OSHA has defined the criteria for the different types of injuries or illness that organizations should report on the OSHA 300 log.
A work-related injury or illness is recordable if it meets any one of the following basic requirements: death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.
A significant injury or illness caused during normal working hours must also be recorded under OSHA if a physician or other certified medical practitioner diagnoses it. This injury or illness need not meet any of the aforementioned basic requirements.
Many workplace incidents may look like recordable injuries but they do not meet the criteria. One of the criterion for recordable injuries is that the work-related injury must require medical treatment beyond first aid.
For example, a work-related rash is treated with non-prescription ointment and the employee continues with his normal work, so the injury is not recordable under OSHA. The non-prescription ointment is considered as first-aid as per OSHA regulations.
