We all like to hope that our workers will stay safe and healthy at all times. However, in reality, things sometimes go wrong – and whether that’s an injury at work or a staff member feeling ill, knowing how to tackle these issues s crucial. Fortunately, we’ve outlined some of the key things you need to know about injury and illness recordkeeping for OSHA compliance as follows to get you started.

Who Needs to Complete Injury and Illness Recordkeeping?

OSHA requires all employers with ten employees or greater to complete injury and illness recordkeeping (with the exception of a few low-risk industries). However, it is worth considering here that minor treatments only needing first aid may not be needed in the injuries and illnesses records.

First aid includes the following treatments, and these may not require recording if first aid alone is enough to resolve/prevent the injury or illness:

• Providing tetanus immunizations
• Cleaning and flushing minor wounds on the surface of the skin
• Use of nonprescription medications at a nonprescription strength
• Applying wound coverings or butterfly bandages to a minor injury (excluding wound closing devices, e.g., sutures, for more serious injuries)
• Providing hot or cold therapy
• Using non-rigid supports to take the pressure off of an injured limb (for example, wraps)
• Draining fluid from a blister
• Using temporary immobilization devices for the purposes of helping an accident victim
• Providing an eye patch to the patient

Key Things You Need to Know About OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping

If you want to complete OSHA injury and illness records, you’ll need to record several different types of injuries not covered by first aid alone. These include the following points:

1. Any fatality must be reported within eight hours of the event
2. Scenarios causing time off work or limited ability to work
3. Issues resulting in the individual transferring to another role
4. Loss of consciousness
5. Illnesses or injuries requiring medical treatment
6. Cancer, irreversible diseases (chronic), punctured eardrums/hearing loss, or cracked/fractured bones and teeth caused by the role
7. Injuries due to sharps or needlesticks
8. Medical removal
9. Tuberculosis

Why are OSHA Injury and Illness Records Important?

OSHA requires injury and illness records to ensure a safe workspace while simultaneously offering a means of monitoring safety for individual businesses. The records may prove highly important when it comes to planning the business’s health and safety strategy or ensuring that precautions are in place to deal with any injuries or illnesses that may be at a higher risk.

How Long Should Illness and Injury Records be Kept For?

All illness and injury records should be kept for at least five years, if not longer. Moreover, OSHA may require employers to provide a summary of any injuries/illnesses sustained by employees during the previous year.

It is worth noting here that present and past employees have the right to request a copy of these records.

When is Form 300A Due?

Businesses can submit their OSHA form 300A directly from the ITA web page, which must be submitted for the previous calendar year by March 2^nd. Moreover, any fatalities must be reported within eight hours; other serious injuries, such as hospitalization, loss of an eye, or amputations, must be reported within twenty four hours.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking to check your approach to injury and illness reporting is compliant with OSHA regulations, today’s brief guide has outlined some of the mandatory points you need to know. Indeed, OSHA compliance is critical to avoid a fine, and keeping this in mind can help you make sure your recordkeeping is meeting all key requirements.