OSHA RECORDKEEPING (OSHA 300 LOG)
The government requires most businesses to maintain a log of occupational injuries and illnesses, renewed on an annual basis. While the government may have its own reasons for requiring you to maintain such information, it is useful for managers of safety programs to be able to see, at a glance, the numbers and types of injuries being suffered at their organizations. With some additional analysis and investigation, useful information can often be developed to help identify problem departments, operations, machinery /equipment, materials, or employees. Being able to identify these trends can help you develop and implement controls to prevent recurrence of the accidents and injuries.
1. Is Your Establishment Required to Maintain OSHA Logs? Some classes of businesses, and businesses with fewer than 11 employees aren't required to keep the OSHA log. Click here for the list of exempt SIC codes.
CAUTION! : Don't confuse record keeping with reporting. Even if you're not required to maintain the OSHA 300 log ("record keeping") certain classes of accident results (such as fatalities) must be reported to the nearest OSHA office within a specified time. Click here for this information.
2. Click here to Get OSHA 300 Logs: This page has downloadable OSHA 300 Logs and associated forms, plus instructions on how to download in PDF or Microsoft Excel 97 formats:
We recommend the PDF version, as it also includes an instruction booklet that helps clarify the sometimes confusing rules.
3. General Information and the Standard Itself: If you have additional questions, or just want to see the standard itself, click here for this information plus numerous resources to help you understand your obligation under this standard.
(Note: Individual files can be downloaded by right clicking on link and choosing "Save Target As". Files require Acrobat Reader to view, which can be downloaded for free by clicking on icon.)
