OSHA Form 300

What is OSHA Form 300? 

OSHA Form 300 is also called Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Form 300. It is a document that employers use to log all work-related injuries and illnesses that happen in the work environment. OSHA Form 300 also records the place and time that the injury occurred, the severity, the name and job title of the employee, and other details. 

OSHA Form 300 is used together with two other forms. To report work-related injuries and illnesses, these three are completed:

• OSHA Form 300: “Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses”
• OSHA Form 300A: “Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses” 
• OSHA Form 301: “Injury and Illness Incident Report” 

For employers, remember that OSHA Form 300A needs to be posted yearly for three months starting February 1 through April 30 following the year covered in the form. 

What are the injuries or illnesses that should be reported on OSHA Form 300? 

Employers are required to document all injuries or illnesses that are work-related. Meaning, employees need to be officially on duty and doing their job duties. All employees are covered by this requirement. Meaning, it does not matter if the worker is hourly, salaried, part-time, or full-time. Everybody on the payroll is covered. 

According to OSHA, recordable work-related illnesses and injuries are those that involve: 

• Death
• Injuries that cause loss of consciousness, missed workdays, decreased work activity, job transfer, or injuries requiring medical treatment beyond first aid
• Diagnosed cancer, irreversible chronic conditions, punctured eardrums, broken teeth or bones
• Needlestick injury or cut from a sharp object that is contaminated with another person’s blood or infectious material

Please note that minor injuries that require minimal first aid, such as an ice pack or a bandage, do not have to be documented. 

Can workers see OSHA Forms if they want to? 

Yes, workers can take a look at OSHA Forms 300A and 301 if they request them. Employers must make sure to provide the forms by the next business day. There is no charge for these forms. 

Who is required to complete OSHA Form 300? 

OSHA set specific guidelines on who should fill out OSHA Form 300. Employers with more than ten employees are required to keep a record of serious work-related illnesses and injuries. Also, if your business belongs to an industry where the risk for injury is high, you must complete OSHA Form 300. Some examples of high-risk industries are construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and farming, among others.

However, some organizations may be exempted from this requirement if they belong to certain industries that are considered low-risk. They are not required to complete OSHA Form 300 unless they are asked to complete one in writing by OSHA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), or any state agency under the OSHA or BLS. For employers, you can head to the OSHA website to see the list of industries.