OSHA Form 300 | Meaning & Definition

OSHA Form 300 is a part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
recordkeeping requirements for workplace injuries and illnesses in the United States. Employers must promptly record workplace injuries and illnesses in OSHA Form 300 within 7 days of notification alongside completing Form 301. Additionally, they must submit Form 300A annually, summarizing incidents. This process ensures compliance with regulations and aids in analyzing safety data to improve preventive measures and employee welfare.

What type of injury must be recorded?

To comply with OSHA regulations and maintain Form 300, you must log all recordable injuries or illnesses suffered by employees on your payroll or workers under your direct supervision.

A recordable injury or illness in any workplace injury or illness involves:

• Medical treatment beyond first aid
• Loss of consciousness
• A formal diagnosis of significant illness or injury
• Death
• Days off work
• Restricted work or transfer to another job

There are some instances where injuries or illnesses may “not be recordable” including:

• An employee present as a member of the general public
• Injuries from voluntary participation in activities
• Common cold or flu
• Injuries from consuming food or drink for personal consumption

What happens when we do not fill out OSHA Form 300?

Failing to fill out OSHA Form 300, or failing to maintain accurate and up-to-date records as required by OSHA regulations, can have serious consequences for employers. Here are some potential consequences:

• OSHA penalties
• Legal liability
• Loss of trust and credibility
• Increased risks of accidents and injuries
• OSHA exceptions and audit

Privacy Cases

In certain circumstances to protect employee privacy, specific details may be excluded from OSHA Form 300. These include:

• An injury or illness relating to an intimate body part or the reproductive system
• Sexual assault
• Mental illness
• HIV, hepatitis, or tuberculosis
• Needlestick injuries or cuts from contaminated sharps
• Where the employee requests their name be left off Form 300.

In these situations, you are required to maintain a separate list of confidential names.