Under the OSHA Recordkeeping regulation (29 CFR 1904), covered employers are required to prepare and maintain record of serious occupational injuries and illnesses, using the OSHA 300 Log. This information is important for employers, workers and OSHA in evaluating the safety of a workplace, understanding industry hazards, and implementing worker protections to reduce and eliminate hazards.
Am I required to prepare and maintain records?
There are two classes of employers that are partially
exempt from routinely keeping injury and illness
records.:
- Employers with ten (10) or fewer employees at all times during the previous calendar year are exempt from routinely keeping OSHA injury and illness records.
- Establishments in certain low-hazard industries are also partially exempt from routinely keeping OSHA injury and illness records. See the lists of both exempt and newly covered industries for details.
What forms do I need to complete?
The OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping forms are:
- the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300),
- the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300A), and
- the Injury and Illness Incident Report (OSHA Form 301) OR comparable incident investigation form.
Employers must fill out the Log and the Incident Report only if a recordable work-related injury or illness has occurred.
Employers must fill out the 300A Summary Form annually, even if no recordable work-related injuries or illnesses occurred during the year. Then, the 300A Form must be posted in a conspicuous location (i.e. a common area where notices to employees are usually posted) between February 1 and April 30.
How does OSHA define a recordable injury or illness?
- Any work-related fatality.
- Any work-related injury or illness that results in loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work, or transfer to another job.
- Any work-related injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid.
- Any work-related diagnosed case of cancer, chronic irreversible diseases, fractured or cracked bones or teeth, and punctured eardrums.
- There are also special recording criteria for work-related cases involving: needlesticks and sharps injuries; medical removal; hearing loss; and tuberculosis.
For questions and/or more information about this brief, contact your Vista Safety Representative:
Roger M. Paveza, CRIS 
President
847.951.7544
Kyle Cochran, CSP Sr. Vice President
812.201.7150
Eric A. White, CHST, CRIS Sr. Vice President
708.560.6244
Muhummad Starks Safety Consultant
720.937.5087
Any information and/or recommendations contained herein have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable and represent the best current opinion on the subject. No warranty, guarantee, or representation is made by Vista Safety Consulting, LLC as to the absolute correctness or sufficiency of any information contained herein. This information is advisory and designed to assist clients with the implementation, management, and control of their own safety program and activities. Vista Safety Consulting, LLC assumes no responsibility for the implementation, correction, or control of any conditions or recommendations identified herein, and is thereby not liable for any health and safety violation(s) and/or injuries on a site.
