The Definition of Recordable Incident

The Definition of Recordable Incident

A work-related injury or illness that meets OSHA's specific criteria for entry on the OSHA 300 Log — generally involving death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, loss of consciousness, medical treatment beyond first aid, or a significant injury or illness diagnosed by a medical professional.

Example of Recordable Incident

‍A worker who receives stitches for a laceration is a recordable incident, since stitches count as medical treatment beyond first aid — whereas a small cut treated with a bandage typically would not be recordable.

Recordable Incident Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a recordable incident and a reportable incident?

A recordable incident meets OSHA's criteria for logging on the OSHA 300 Log, which happens after the fact during routine recordkeeping. A reportable incident is one that must be reported directly to OSHA within a specific timeframe — such as a fatality (8 hours) or hospitalization (24 hours) — regardless of whether it's also recordable.

Does first aid treatment count as a recordable incident?

No. OSHA specifically excludes first aid — treatments like bandages, over-the-counter medication, or a single dose of a topical treatment — from recordability, even if the injury required medical attention. The line is drawn at treatment that goes beyond what OSHA classifies as first aid.

Who determines whether an incident is recordable?

The employer, typically through EHS or HR staff trained in OSHA recordkeeping rules, makes the determination based on OSHA's recording criteria in 29 CFR 1904. In ambiguous cases, employers may consult OSHA's recordkeeping guidance or a medical professional's assessment of treatment provided.

What happens if a company fails to record a recordable incident?

Failing to properly record incidents can result in OSHA citations and penalties if discovered during an inspection or records audit, and it also distorts the company's injury data, undermining efforts to identify and fix real safety problems.

How does the number of recordable incidents affect a company?

Recordable incidents feed directly into calculations like TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate), which affects a company's safety reputation, insurance premiums, eligibility for certain contracts, and OSHA inspection targeting, since high-rate industries and companies are more likely to be selected for programmed inspections.