OSHA Recordkeeping

The Basics

We need to understand:

Why the regulation exists

What is required

Who is responsible for recordkeeping

What is recordable???

Recording injuries and illnesses

The data from OSHA 300 logs and summaries is used by the Department of Labor to measure trends and establish national averages for various types of business in the US.

Recording requirements

OSHA has a standard form – the form 300.

This form is not difficult to interpret and has columns for required information about the nature of the injury and the severity.

OSHA Form 300

Personnel responsibilities

The employer who has control over the site and supervises the daily activity of the employees is responsible for recording the injuries and illnesses at the site.

This can be confusing in staffing and sub-contractor relationships.

What is recordable?

To be recordable there are some basic criteria:

– There must be an injury or illness

– The injury/illness must be work-related

– Does the injury/illness meet the specific case recording criteria?

Death

Days Away from Work or Restricted Activity

Transfer to another job/department

Medical treatment beyond first aid

Defining First Aid

Non-prescription drugs – under manufacturer’s guidelines

Basic bandaging Tetanus shots Hot and cold applications Drilling a fingernail Removing a splinter Eye wash

Timeline

All recordable cases must be entered into the log within 7 calendar days of receiving information that a recordable case has occurred.

Summary

Recording of injury and illness information is useful.

Maintaining the records is the responsibility of the supervising entity.

There are specific criteria for the process.

There is a 7-day timeline.