What Is an OSHA Recordable Incident?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to track all injuries and illnesses incurred by their employees while on the job. OSHA also requires certain injuries and illnesses to be reported on Form 301.

Criteria

Any work-related injury or illness that results in death, loss of consciousness, lost time from work, work restrictions or medical treatment are OSHA recordable incidents. Injuries and illnesses diagnosed by a licensed physician or health care professional are also OSHA recordable incidents.

Exclusions

First-aid treatment due to an on-the-job incident does not have to be reported to OSHA. First-aid treatments include administering non-prescription medications, cleaning surface wounds, applying bandages, using hot or cold therapy and giving fluids to treat heat stress.

Additional Criteria

Any needle prick or puncture wound from a sharp object that could be contaminated with another person's blood or other infectious material is a recordable incident. Any injury that requires an employee to be medically removed from work duties due to any other OSHA health standard is also recordable.

References

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration: OSHA Forms for Recording Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses