Please see our previous blog about what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines as recordable injury and illness cases. As a quick review, all work-related injuries and illnesses that result in death, loss of consciousness, medical treatment beyond first aid, days away from work, restriction of work, or transfer to another job must be recorded in your OSHA log.
One of the most easily confused criteria is “medical treatment beyond first aid.” How “first aid” is perceived can vary greatly
OSHA includes the following treatments and procedures in their definition of First Aid:
- Observation or counseling
- Diagnostic procedures, including X-ray, blood tests
- Over-the-counter med’s at over-the-counter strength
- Tetanus
- Cleaning, flushing, or soaking wounds
- Wound coverings, including suture substitutes such as butterfly bandages and Steri-strips
- Hot/cold treatment
- Non-rigid support such as ace, non-rigid back belts, etc.
- Temporary immobilization for transport purposes
- Drilling of nail to relieve sub-ungual hematoma
- Eye patches
- Foreign Body (FB) removal from eye using only irrigation or swab
- Simple skin FB removal
- Finger guards
If a work-related injury or illness is treated by any of these methods, then it does not meet OSHA’s criteria for being recorded in your company’s OSHA log. I
Please contact us at The Flanders Group if you have any questions or want help determining if any injuries or illnesses in your workplace qualify to be recorded in your OSHA log. Our insurance professionals help marinas, auto/RV dealerships, nurseries/landscapers, manufacturers and refuse companies throughout New York state.