Is It OSHA-Recordable? A Practical Guide to the 300 Log
Not every workplace injury goes on the OSHA 300 Log. Use the recordability test — work-relatedness, new case, and the recording criteria — to decide.
By Nora Ellison · Senior HR Compliance Writer
Reviewed by theComplianceToolsLibrary Editorial Team · · 6 min read
Employers covered by OSHA's recordkeeping rule (29 CFR Part 1904) must log certain work-related injuries and illnesses on the OSHA 300 Log. But the log isn't a record of every scrape — only cases that meet specific criteria belong there.
Deciding recordability is a three-question test. Walk through it consistently and you'll avoid both over-recording and the more dangerous habit of under-recording.
Step 1 — Is it work-related?
An injury or illness is presumed work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to it, or significantly aggravated a pre-existing condition. A limited set of exceptions applies — for example, eating in the cafeteria, or symptoms arising at work that are solely due to a non-work event.
Step 2 — Is it a new case?
It's a new case if the employee hasn't previously experienced the same injury or illness to the same body part, or had fully recovered from a prior such case before the new symptoms appeared.
Step 3 — Does it meet a recording criterion?
A work-related new case is recordable if it results in any of the following:
- Death, days away from work, or restricted work / job transfer.
- Medical treatment beyond first aid (OSHA lists exactly what counts as first aid).
- Loss of consciousness.
- A significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician (e.g., a fracture or punctured eardrum).
First aid vs. medical treatment
The line between first aid and medical treatment is where most recordability calls are won or lost. OSHA provides a finite list of first-aid treatments — anything outside that list is medical treatment and makes the case recordable. Record the case within seven calendar days of learning about it.
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Frequently asked questions
What makes an injury OSHA-recordable?
It must be work-related, a new case, and result in death, days away, restricted work or transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or a significant diagnosed injury or illness.
What's the difference between first aid and medical treatment?
OSHA lists specific treatments that count as first aid (e.g., bandages, non-prescription medication at nonprescription strength). Anything beyond that list is medical treatment, which makes a work-related case recordable.
How soon must we record an injury?
Within seven calendar days of receiving information that a recordable injury or illness occurred.