In general, unless your company or business establishment is partially exempt from OSHA’s recordkeeping standard, you must maintain injury and illness records using OSHA 300, 300-A, and 301 forms. 

Importantly, only certain injuries and illnesses are required to be recorded on OSHA’s recordkeeping forms; therefore, each injury and illness must be thoroughly analyzed to determine whether it meets OSHA’s definition of recordability. In addition, injury and illness records must be completed in full and in accordance with the instructions provided for each form.

Injury and illness records that are improperly or inaccurately maintained can result in OSHA recordkeeping citations and costly penalties. When OSHA conducts an inspection, the compliance officer will customarily request copies of the last three to five years of injury and illness records, which, by regulation, must be produced within four hours. Additionaly, business establishments of a particular size and industry classification must electronically submit certain recordkeeping forms to OSHA on an annual basis. As such, the maintenance of accurate and complete injury and illness records is critical for avoiding violations of OSHA’s recordkeeping standard.