Review Injury Records

Looking at your injury and illness data will help identify ergonomic problems. This data can be obtained from reviewing the following information:

• OSHA 300 Injury and Illness Logs
• 301 reports
• workers’ compensation records
• first aid logs
• accident and near-miss investigation reports
• insurance company reports
• worker reports of problems

OSHA Form 300 Log: An OSHA 300 log is a record of work related injuries and illnesses in a workplace that have occurred during a specified time period, usually within a year. By law, OSHA requires most employers to maintain an OSHA 300 Log. It may be kept in soft or hard copy form.

OSHA 301 Report: OSHA Form 301 is an Injury and Illness Incident Report that is one of the first documents that must be completed in the event of a workplace injury or illness. It is one aspect of the OSH Act of 1970, which was passed to create higher standards for workplace health and safety. It is most commonly known as OSHA’s Recordkeeping Standard.

Workers Compensation Records: Record Retention. Each state has different requirements for workers’ compensation record retention. In Wisconsin, for example, workers’ comp records must be kept for 30 years after the case has closed.

First Aid Logs: Minor Injury / First Aid Log. Instructions: This log is kept at the worksite by the supervisor. Use this log to record employee injuries/illnesses that do not require medical attention or days away from work.

Accident and near-miss investigation reports: OSHA strongly encourages employers to investigate all incidents in which a worker was hurt, as well as close calls (sometimes called “near misses”), in which a worker might have been hurt if the circumstances had been slightly different. In the past, the term “accident” was often used when referring to an unplanned, unwanted event.

Insurance Company Reports: While reporting to your insurer and OSHA are typically two separate things, there is one area where they overlap. The First Report of Injury form generated when you file a workers’ compensation claim can serve as a substitute for the OSHA 301  form in some states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Workers Report: Employee reports of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions. The purpose of employee reports is to inform agencies of the existence of, or potential for, unsafe or unhealthful working conditions. A report under this part is not a grievance. This section provides guidance in establishing a channel of communication between agency employees and those with responsibilities for safety and health 29CFR Part 1960.28 Basic Program Elements for Federal Employees OSHA

Observe Workplace Conditions: By looking critically at your workplace operations, you can identify risk factors and eliminate or control them as early as possible.