OSHA Recordkeeping and Inspections — General Industry

OSHA's Recordkeeping Rule (29 CFR Part 1904) requires most employers to maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses. Employers with 10 or fewer employees and employers in designated low-hazard industries are partially exempt from routine recordkeeping but must still report fatalities and hospitalizations. Three forms are used: Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses — the running year-long log), Form 300A (Annual Summary — must be posted Feb 1 through April 30), and Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report — individual case detail completed within 7 days of learning of a recordable case). Records must be retained for 5 years.

A case is recordable if it is work-related and results in: days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or diagnosis of a significant injury/illness by a healthcare professional. The OSHA first aid list (1904.7) specifies treatments that are NOT recordable — including non-prescription medications at non-prescription strength, wound cleaning, bandaging (including butterfly closures), tetanus shots, eye patches, and others. Understanding the distinction between first aid and recordable treatment is critical for proper recordkeeping. When in doubt, consult a healthcare professional's guidance.

OSHA inspections follow the same priority system as in construction: imminent danger, fatalities/catastrophes, complaints, referrals, and programmed inspections. For general industry, OSHA's National Emphasis Programs target specific high-hazard industries such as amputations, grain handling, and primary metals. Workers and their representatives have the right to accompany the OSHA inspector during the walkaround (Section 8(e)). Employers must report: work-related fatalities within 8 hours and in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and loss of an eye within 24 hours. Electronic submission of injury/illness data is required for larger establishments under OSHA's ITA (Injury Tracking Application).