OSHA Recordable vs Reportable Injury 2026:
Complete Decision Guide
Quick Answer
A recordable injury must be entered on the OSHA 300 Log — it's a documentation requirement. A reportable injury must be actively reported to OSHA by phone or online — it's a notification requirement. All reportable injuries are recordable, but not all recordable injuries are reportable.
Every EHS manager needs to know: when does a workplace incident go on the OSHA 300 Log? When do you call OSHA? Here's the complete decision framework — with reporting deadlines, first aid exceptions, and the most common mistakes.
Recordable vs Reportable: The Core Distinction
A work-related injury or illness that you must document on your OSHA 300 Log. Recordability is about documentation.
- Days away from work
- Restricted work or job transfer
- Medical treatment beyond first aid
- Loss of consciousness
- Significant diagnosis by healthcare professional
- Death (also reportable)
A narrow subset of serious incidents that require actively contacting OSHA. Reportability is about notification.
- Work-related fatality → 8 hours
- In-patient hospitalization (1+ employee) → 24 hours
- Any amputation → 24 hours
- Loss of an eye → 24 hours
Is This Injury Recordable? Decision Framework
Work-related means the work environment caused or contributed to the condition, or significantly aggravated a pre-existing condition. Commuting injuries are NOT work-related (general rule).
A new case = employee has not had the same injury/illness previously OR the employee had recovered completely and a new exposure caused a new case.
General recording criteria: death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, significant diagnosis by a healthcare professional.
First Aid vs Medical Treatment: The Key Dividing Line
- Non-prescription medication at non-prescription strength
- Tetanus immunization
- Cleaning, flushing, soaking wounds
- Wound closures: bandages, steri-strips (not sutures)
- Hot or cold therapy
- Non-rigid back support (not a brace)
- Temporary immobilization for transport only
- Drilling a fingernail to relieve pressure
- Eye patches (not prescription)
- Removing splinters or foreign bodies from non-deep tissue
- Rest for one shift only
- Physical exams, x-rays, blood tests for diagnostic purposes only
- Prescription medications
- Sutures or staples (for wound closure)
- Physical therapy or chiropractic treatment
- Rigid back braces or splints
- Days away from work (any number)
- Light duty / restricted work
- Loss of consciousness (any duration)
- Job transfer due to injury
- Significant injury/illness diagnosed by healthcare professional
- Oxygen therapy
- Use of an eye patch longer than a single shift
- Removal of foreign body from eye by healthcare professional
OSHA Reporting Deadlines Summary
| Incident Type | Deadline | How to Report | Also Recordable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work-related fatality | 8 hours | Call 1-800-321-6742 or osha.gov | |
| In-patient hospitalization (1+ employee) | 24 hours | Call 1-800-321-6742 or osha.gov | |
| Any work-related amputation | 24 hours | Call 1-800-321-6742 or osha.gov | |
| Work-related loss of an eye | 24 hours | Call 1-800-321-6742 or osha.gov | |
| Other recordable injury/illness | No OSHA notification | Record on OSHA 300 Log within 7 days | |
| First aid only incident | No OSHA notification | No action required (maintain own incident records) | — |
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OSHA Recordable vs Reportable FAQs
What is the difference between a recordable injury and a reportable injury?
A recordable injury must be entered on the OSHA 300 Log — it's a documentation requirement. A reportable injury must be actively reported to OSHA by phone or online — it's a notification requirement. All reportable injuries are recordable, but not all recordable injuries are reportable. Recordable injuries include any work-related fatality, illness, or injury involving days away from work, restricted work activity, job transfer, loss of consciousness, medical treatment beyond first aid, or diagnosis of a significant work-related illness or injury by a healthcare professional. Reportable injuries are a narrower category: fatalities (report within 8 hours), in-patient hospitalizations (3+ employees within 24 hours), amputations, and losses of an eye (report within 24 hours).
When must a work-related fatality be reported to OSHA?
Employers must report any work-related fatality to OSHA within 8 hours of learning about it. This applies regardless of how many employees the employer has. The report can be made by calling OSHA directly at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or by visiting the OSHA website to submit an online report. If OSHA is not open when you learn of the fatality, you must leave a message. The 8-hour clock starts when the employer becomes aware of the fatality — not when the incident occurred. Failure to report within 8 hours is a separate violation from any underlying safety violation.
What injuries must be reported to OSHA within 24 hours?
Employers must report the following to OSHA within 24 hours of learning about the incident: (1) in-patient hospitalization of one or more employees as a result of a work-related incident; (2) any work-related amputation; (3) any work-related loss of an eye. Note: a brief emergency room visit for observation or stitches without overnight admission is NOT an in-patient hospitalization and does not trigger the 24-hour reporting requirement. "Amputation" means traumatic loss of all or part of a bone, including fingertips — it does not require loss at the joint.
Is first aid treatment recordable on the OSHA 300 Log?
No — an injury or illness that requires only first aid treatment is not OSHA recordable. OSHA defines first aid as: non-prescription medication at non-prescription strength, tetanus immunization, cleaning/flushing wounds, wound closures (bandages, steri-strips), hot/cold therapy, non-rigid back belts, temporary immobilization during transport, drilling a fingernail to relieve pressure, using eye patches, removing splinters, rest for one shift, and similar minor treatments. If treatment goes beyond this list — for example, prescription medication, sutures, physical therapy, or any day away from work — the injury is recordable. The key question is whether the treatment requires professional medical care beyond first aid.
Does a work-related COVID-19 case need to be recorded on the OSHA 300 Log?
Yes, if the COVID-19 case is work-related and meets recordability criteria. OSHA requires employers to record COVID-19 cases on the 300 Log if: (1) the case is confirmed as COVID-19 (positive test or diagnosis); (2) the case is work-related (employee was exposed to COVID-19 at work); and (3) the case meets general recording criteria — i.e., involves medical treatment beyond first aid, days away from work, restricted work, etc. Determining work-relatedness for COVID-19 can be complex — OSHA provides guidance that employers must make a reasonable determination based on available evidence. All recordable cases must also be reported to OSHA if they involve hospitalization, amputation, loss of eye, or death.
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