Recordkeeping Quiz
Every year, at the end of January there is a push for employers to complete OSHA Recordkeeping forms, also known as OSHA 300 logs, so that the 300A Summary log for the previous year can be posted where workers can see it from February 1 to April 30 of every year. This also brings a lot of questions. We thought that we would turn some of those questions into a quiz, hopefully to help you remember some recordkeeping details that you might have otherwise forgotten.
1. What type or types of injuries and illnesses are required to be recorded on OSHA logs?
A. Work-related fatalities.
B. Work-related injuries or illnesses that result the patient becoming unconscious.
C. Any work-related diagnosed case of cancer, chronic irreversible diseases, fractured or cracked bones or teeth, and punctured eardrums.
D. Any work-related illness that results in treatment beyond first aid.
E. Only A and B.
F. All the above.
We’re going to help you with this answer, which is F, all the above. These definitions are from Federal OSHA. In California, we also add in any work-related injury or illness that results in days off work or a required job transfer to a “lighter” assignment.
2. More is better, right? Recording all injuries and illnesses at the workplace is good idea.
A. Yes, more is better. It shows that you are diligent.
B. Yes, recording all injuries and illnesses will make sure you have all the information captured.
C. No, you are only required to record injuries and illnesses that are on the list in question #1.
D. No, recording additional non-recordable injuries and illnesses may affect your ExMod Rate.
E. Only A and B are correct.
F. Only C and D are correct.
Again, the answer to this question is F, only C and D are correct. You are only required to report work-related injuries and illnesses that are on the list in question #1. Reporting additional work-related injuries and illnesses could affect your Experiential Modification Rating (ExMod Rate). An ExMod Rate is a formula used by insurers to compare your injury/illness rates with other companies in the same industry and can affect your workers compensation insurance rates. Some hiring companies will ask to see your ExMod rate as an overview of how “safe” your company is. Adding unnecessary cases to your OSHA logs can skew your rating.
3. Employee X works an 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday shift. On Friday, at 2 PM, Employee X fell off a ladder while changing a light bulb. They hit their head, lost consciousness, and were rushed to an urgent care clinic. The doctor gave Employee X a note to stay home for 2 days. On Monday, Employee X felt better and came to work, showing you the note. Do you record Employee X as having time off? If so, how much time?
A. No, it is not recorded. Employee X did not take any scheduled work time off.
B. No, it is not recorded. Employee X felt fine, no time was lost.
C. Yes, it is recorded. You only need to record that Employee X lost 3 hours.
D. Yes, it is recorded. You record that Employee X lost 2 days.
The OSHA regulation, 29 CFR, Part 1904.7(b)(3)(v), states that “you must count the number of calendar days the employee was unable to work as a result of the injury or illness, regardless of whether or not the employee was scheduled to work on those day(s).” Even though Employee X is not scheduled to work on weekends, you must count those days. In another subparagraph of the same regulation, it tells us that you start counting the days on the day after the incident. If you want to look it up, here is a link to the recordkeeping regulations.
4. Some employers are now required to submit their OSHA 300A Summary log online. Who is required to report their OSHA 300A Summary online?
A. You must report online if your company is on this list: and the company employment peaked to between 20 and 249 during the previous year.
B. Your company has less than 19 employees but does hazardous work.
C. Your company does not do hazardous work, but has more than 250 employees, and is on this list from OSHA
D. Your employees only work from home.
This question and the answers were a little trickier. The most correct answer is A. Some State Plan States, like California, are following this requirement. Employers of companies on the linked list must file their OSHA 300A Summaries online with Federal OSHA. The due date is March 1, 2023, to file the information for 2022.
If you’d like to learn more about OSHA recordkeeping, we have an online course that can help you. It takes about an hour to complete and is only $25. We may be biased, but we think you’ll like it! Below is the link to the course. You can use the code recordkeeping23 for 15% off the course.
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