OSHA Recordkeeping 2025 — Who Must Keep Records?
Quick Answer
Employers with 10 or fewer employees (company-wide, not per site) are generally exempt from routine OSHA recordkeeping. Certain low-hazard industries are also partially exempt based on NAICS codes. However, ALL employers regardless of size must report fatalities within 8 hours and hospitalizations, amputations, or eye losses within 24 hours. Most construction NAICS codes (236xxx, 237xxx, 238xxx) are NOT exempt.
Last reviewed · By Chad Griffith
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about osha recordkeeping 2025: who must keep 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 does OSHA require employers to keep records of?
Per 29 CFR 1904: workplace injuries and illnesses (OSHA 300 log), summary of those (300A, posted Feb 1 - April 30 each year), individual case records (301 incident reports), and supporting evidence. Plus separate recordkeeping for hazard communication training (1910.1200), respiratory protection (1910.134), bloodborne pathogens (1910.1030), and other standard-specific requirements.
Who has to keep OSHA 300 logs?
Employers with 11+ employees in covered industries (construction, manufacturing, most general industry). Some low-hazard industries (NAICS-coded retail, finance, insurance, education) are partially exempt from 300 log recordkeeping but still must report severe injuries. The covered/exempt list is at 29 CFR 1904 Subpart B.
What's the 300A and when is it posted?
Form 300A is the annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses recorded on the 300 log. Must be certified by a company executive (29 CFR 1904.32(b)(4)) and physically posted in a prominent worksite location from February 1 through April 30. Electronic-only posting does not satisfy the requirement.
What are the OSHA recordkeeping fines?
Up to $16,131 per violation for serious recordkeeping violations under 29 CFR 1903.15 (2026 inflation-adjusted). Willful or repeat violations can hit $161,323 per item. Recordkeeping is the #4 most-cited OSHA category in published enforcement data.
Can FileFlo automate OSHA 300 log maintenance?
Yes. Connect your incident reports (whether already in HR system, paper forms scanned to a folder, or built directly in FileFlo), and FileFlo classifies each into OSHA 300 row format with automatic 1904.7 case-type analysis (recordable vs reportable, away from work, restricted duty, fatality). Annual 300A summary auto-generates on Feb 1 ready to post.
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