OSHA 300 Log — Avoid $16K Fines on Injury Records
Quick Answer
The OSHA 300 log (Form 300) is a running record of all work-related injuries and illnesses that meet OSHA\'s recording criteria. Most private sector employers with 11+ employees must maintain OSHA 300 logs. Some low-hazard industries (retail, finance, certain services) are partially exempt, but all employers must still report fatalities, hospitalizations, and amputations.
Last reviewed · By Chad Griffith
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about osha 300 log: avoid $16k fines on injury records. Whether you're a safety manager, compliance officer, or operations director, understanding osha compliance requirements is critical to avoiding costly fines and failed audits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What goes on an OSHA 300 log?
Each work-related injury or illness that meets recordable criteria under 29 CFR 1904.7. Required columns: case number, employee name, job title, date of injury/illness, where it occurred, description, classification (death, days away, restricted/transfer, other recordable case), days away, days on restriction, injury vs illness type, and body part.
What's the difference between 300, 300A, and 301?
Form 300: the running log of every recordable case during the year. Form 300A: annual summary (totals only) certified by an executive and posted Feb 1 - April 30. Form 301: per-incident detailed report for each case (privacy-protected, kept on-site). All three are part of the recordkeeping requirement under 29 CFR 1904.
Who can see the 300 log?
Employees and their representatives have access on request (29 CFR 1904.35). OSHA inspectors during a compliance inspection. Authorized state plan inspectors. Employee names on injury/illness involving privacy concerns (HIV, sexual assault, mental illness) must be redacted to representatives but NOT to OSHA.
What are 'first aid' cases that don't need to go on the 300 log?
Per 29 CFR 1904.7(b)(5)(ii): first aid is treatment defined narrowly (non-prescription medications at non-prescription strength, simple bandaging, eye washes, fluids for heat stress, finger guards, etc). Anything beyond — sutures, prescription drugs, IV, etc — is medical treatment beyond first aid and IS recordable.
Does FileFlo build the 300 log automatically?
Yes. Drop incident reports into FileFlo (PDF, photo of paper form, or built-in form). FileFlo classifies each report against 29 CFR 1904.7 criteria, decides recordable status, fills in 300 log columns, generates 300A annually, and ships the printable poster on Feb 1. Built for multi-shift, multi-site, multi-state operations.
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