What Is Considered OSHA Recordable?

Link to OSHA Recordable Criteria:

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1904/1904.7

This post is one in a 3-part series:

One of the biggest challenges companies had in regards to OSHA data is figuring out what is and what is not an OSHA recordable incident. Hello. My name is Michael Stack. I’m the CEO of Amax. I’m gonna break down today actually how you could do this consistently. Get it done consistently right per what OSHA says and just kinda follow those guidelines consistently so you can get this data actually accurate, and then you could leverage this OSHA data as an asset for your organization.

What Is and Is Not an OSHA Recordable?

Alright. So let’s talk about what is and what is not a recordable incident. In regards in regards to workers’ compensation incidents, there’s a couple of key pieces that you’re going to talk about I want to break down kind of what these are and then how you’re going to consistently do this and consistently do it well. Alright. So first thing, we’re gonna talk about Death, these are kind of the main categories. Def, days away from work. It’s the last work days. So if they miss time, restricted days. So if they have to do restricted, if they can’t do their full duty job, restricted time, medical treatment beyond first aid, Med beyond first aid, and this is the most confusing one that’s med beyond first aid 1. It’s also one of the most common reasons that it’s recordable.

Loss of consciousness, loss consciousness, and then last one is diagnosed with a significant ill injury or illness. Significant injury or illness, and this is typically going to be a cancer. It’s going to be a significant injury or illness of that regards. Alright. So let’s talk about these 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 different categories. These ones are all pretty straightforward. Death days away from work or missed time. In regards to workers’ compensation, we’re gonna follow these. A lot of times are going to be triggers for a recorded incident. If they have lost time, It’s a days away. If they’re restricted or if they’re going on light duty, it’s a restricted or job transfer. So these are pretty simple and pretty straightforward as far as understanding what is and what is not always recordable.

Lots of consciousness, consciousness, significant ill injury illness. Also, these are typically pretty clear. These are pretty scared. Did they lose consciousness where they diagnose a significant injury illness? This is going to be a much less common things that are happening, but also relatively clear in regards to whether or not. This one, medical, treatment beyond First Aid. This is the one that trips companies up the most. This is the one that trips companies up the most. Because what the heck does that mean?

Medical Treatment Beyond First Aid

Did they get medical treatment beyond first aid? Well, I don’t know. What is considered first aid? Alright. Well, OSHA and it’s brilliant. They actually do a really nice job at this. They very clearly define what is considered first aid in regards to recordable in regards to what is and what is not recordable. So they very, very clearly state what is considered first aid and what is not considered first aid to be able to fall into this category of medical treatment bond first aid. So I’m gonna post a link below this video you’ll be able to see it.

It’s listed at 107 10 190 4.7. parenthesis b, parenthesis 5, parenthesis 3, OSHA clearly defines what this is, and I’m not gonna write them all up on the board. You could follow it along in the link below. Here’s what they are. Non prescription medication at nonprescription strength. So this is if they prescribe a Tylenol. I’m not prescribed if there’s a Tylenol or if there is an Advil, you know, something of that regards, that’s an over the counter where companies will get tripped up here and say, well, I’m gonna give you ibuprofen.

Inadvertently Create a Recordable Incident

But, the doctor writes a script for it. Let’s see. I think it’s 200 milligrams is the is the over the counter strength, and they write a script for, let’s say, 800 milligrams. And and that’s a prescription strength. So understanding that difference, and this is where the relationship with your treating physicians really come into play, understanding what is recordable and what is not recordable because a lot of times companies are inadvertently getting a much higher recordable rate then they have to just because of the prescribing practices of those treating physicians. So that’s number 1, administering tetanus immunization. Cleaning flush flushing or soaking of wounds on the surface of the skin. Use of the wound coverings such as band aids. These things are considered first aid. So these things are considered first aid.

So that would not be beyond first aid. So if if you’re if the treatment is any of these things, use of eye patches, drilling of a a fingernail alternator to relieve to relieve pressure, temporary mobilization, elastic bandages, non rigid means support use of finger guards. Massage is drinking liquids to or for release of of stress. You can see the complete list below, and here’s the key to this list. If it’s on this list, it’s first aid. If it’s on the list that OSHA gives you, it is considered first aid. If it is not on the list, it is considered treatment beyond 1st date. If it is on the list, If it’s on the list, if it’s one of the it’s about 15 things, roughly, on the list. If it’s one of those 15 things, it is considered first aid. If it is not on the list, it’s beyond first aid. I’m going to say that again because it’s a huge, huge point. If it is on the list, it is considered first aid If it is not on the list, it is considered medical treatment beyond first aid. Huge point OSHA does a very good job at clarifying this exactly what those things are that are considered first aid. And there also have done a lot of, if you read some of the OSHA forms, they’re like, well, what about this time? You know, this thing happened is that, you know, in that in this circumstance, blah blah blah blah.

FREE DOWNLOAD: “5 Critical Metrics To Measure Workers’ Comp Success”

If It’s Not on the List, It’s Not First-Aid

And then the and Osha will say, if it’s on the list, If it’s not on the list, it’s medical shooting beyond 1st state. If it’s on the list, it is 1st state. Well, what about this? They’ll say people read in. What about this scenario? If it’s on the list, it’s first aid. If it’s not on the list, it’s medical treatment beyond first aid. OSHA is very, very clear about this and consistently responding in the same way. So they’re giving this guidance, understand what that criteria is, have it at the ready so that you can make that difference. These things are all Relatively they’re pretty clear whether they’re recordable or not. This is where companies, a lot of times, get tripped up. Again, my name is Michael Stack, and CEO of AMX, Remember, your work today and workers’ compensation can have a dramatic impact on your company’s bottom line, but it will have a dramatic impact on someone’s life. So be great.

Michael Stack, CEO of Amaxx LLC, is an expert in workers’ compensation cost containment systems and provides education, training, and consulting to help employers reduce their workers’ compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is co-author of the #1 selling comprehensive training guide “Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering Workers’ Comp Costs: Reduce Costs 20% to 50%.” Stack is the creator of Injury Management Results (IMR) software and founder of Amaxx Workers’ Comp Training Center. WC Mastery Training teaching injury management best practices such as return to work, communication, claims best practices, medical management, and working with vendors. IMR software simplifies the implementation of these best practices for employers and ties results to a Critical Metrics Dashboard.

Contact: [email protected].

Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: http://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/

Injury Management Results (IMR) Software: https://imrsoftware.com/

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker, attorney, or qualified professional.