What Injuries Belong on the OSHA 300 Log—and Why Accuracy Matters
For small to mid-sized businesses, especially those without a dedicated safety manager, OSHA compliance can feel like navigating a maze of technicalities. One of the most misunderstood areas? The OSHA 300 Log.
This log isn’t a catch-all for every bump or bruise—it’s a legally mandated record of specific work-related injuries and illnesses. Recording too much can invite unnecessary scrutiny. Recording too little can trigger fines. Here's how to strike the right balance.
What Must Be Recorded on the OSHA 300 Log
OSHA requires that you record any work-related injury or illness that results in:
Death
Loss of consciousness
Days away from work
Restricted work or job transfer
Medical treatment beyond first aid
Examples of Recordable Incidents:
A fractured wrist from a fall on a wet floor
A needlestick injury in a healthcare setting
Occupational hearing loss confirmed by audiometric testing
Medical removal due to lead exposure under OSHA standards
What Should Not Be Recorded
Not every workplace incident belongs on the log. OSHA is clear: only record incidents that meet specific criteria. Over-reporting can lead to unnecessary audits or misrepresent your safety record.
Non-Recordable Examples:
Minor cuts treated with bandages
Muscle soreness from routine work
Use of non-prescription medications
Tetanus shots administered as a precaution
Why Accuracy Matters
Recording every incident “just to be safe” can backfire. It may:
Inflate your incident rate
Invite OSHA scrutiny
Mislead insurers or clients reviewing your safety record
Instead, apply a structured decision-making protocol to determine recordability. This protects your business while ensuring compliance.
Paravel Risk Management: Your OSHA Compliance Partner
Maintaining OSHA logs and complying with industry-specific OSHA regulations can save your company from hefty fines and greater scrutiny by OSHA. Paravel Risk Management can manage your OSHA 300 logs and ensure that your small to medium-sized business is fully compliant. This can be done affordably and is of great benefit to companies that cannot justify hiring a full-time safety manager.