Today, we continue with a review of OSHA’s injury and illness recordkeeping requirements, which began yesterday.
Are there situations where I do not put the employee’s name on the forms for privacy reasons?
Yes, if you have a “privacy concern case,” you may not enter the employee’s name on the OSHA 300 Log. Instead, enter “privacy case” in the space normally used for the employee’s name. You must keep a separate, confidential list of the case numbers and employee names for your privacy concern cases so you can update the cases and provide the information to the government if asked to do so. If you have a reasonable basis to believe that information describing the privacy concern case may be personally identifiable even though the employee’s name has been omitted, you may use discretion in describing the injury or illness.
How do I determine if an injury or illness is a privacy concern case?
You must consider the following injuries or illnesses to be privacy concern cases:
- An injury or illness to an intimate body part or the reproductive system
- An injury or illness resulting from a sexual assault
- Mental illnesses
- HIV infection, hepatitis, or tuberculosis
- Needlestick injuries and cuts from sharp objects that are contaminated with another person’s blood or other potentially infectious material
- Other illnesses, if the employee voluntarily requests that his or her name not be entered on the log
How do I handle a case if it is not obvious whether the precipitating event or exposure occurred in the work environment or occurred away from work?
You must evaluate the employee’s work duties and environment to decide whether one or more events or exposures in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a preexisting condition.
From emergency action to infection control, the Easy Workplace Safety Program has detailed plans for 20 specific safety procedures. Find out more.
If an injured or ill worker produces fewer goods or services than he or she would have produced before the injury or illness but otherwise performs all of the routine functions of his or her work, is the case considered a restricted work case?
No, the case is considered restricted work only if the worker does not perform all of the routine functions of his or her job or does not work the full shift that he or she would otherwise have worked.
What is “medical treatment” for recordkeeping purposes?
Medical treatment includes managing and caring for a patient for the purpose of combating disease or disorder. The following are not considered medical treatments and are NOT recordable:
- Visits to a doctor or healthcare professional solely for observation or counseling
- Diagnostic procedures, including administering prescription medications that are used solely for diagnostic purposes
- First aid
Developing a formal, written safety plan doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Easy Workplace Safety Program makes it easy as 1, 2, 3! Get the details.
Instant Safety Programs Just for You
Developing your written safety programs is as easy as 1, 2, 3 with BLR’s Easy Workplace Safety Program. This exceptional product makes it easy to develop customized written safety plans that meet your organization’s particular needs for workplace safety and OSHA compliance.
All you need to do is insert the CD, add your specific company information, and your safety program is essentially complete. This carefully developed tool comes complete with a step-by-step manual and has detailed plans for 20 safety procedures, including:
- Hearing conservation
- Emergency action plan
- Hazard communication
- Lockout/tagout
- PPE
- Material handling and storage
- Forklift operations
- Confined spaces
- Electrical safety
- Ergonomics
- Fire prevention
… and many more essential safety procedures. You also get special forms, such as the OSHA 300, 301, and 300A Forms, as well as forms for state workers’ compensation programs. State-specific workplace safety, loss prevention program, and safety committee requirements are also provided.
Everything you need to implement an award-winning safety program is right at your fingertips in one package, including complete instructions on how to use this exciting safety management product.
Find out more about how BLR’s Easy Workplace Safety Program can help you manage safety in your workplace.
Other Recent Articles on Injuries and Illness
Caring for Your Back: A Scholarly Approach
Take Action Now to Reduce Ergonomic Risks
Emergency Response for Workplace Eye Injuries
Stay on Top of First-Aid Requirements