Cal / OSHA 300 Recordkeeping

Cal/OSHA requires companies with 10 or more employees to keep a log of work-related injuries and illnesses that fall into 4 OSHA recordable categories for each calendar year. Those 4 categories are:

  • occupational death
  • days away from work
  • job transfer or restrictions
  • and other recordable cases.

To comply with this regulation, Cal/OSHA requires the use of Forms 300 and 300A, which are available for download a the following link:  https://www.dir.ca.gov/t8/14300_29.html.  It is strongly recommend that productions use the Microsoft Excel version.

Every year, OSHA requires that the OSHA Form 300A be posted from February 1 to April 30, which represents injuries and illnesses sustained the previous year. For convenience, the OSHA 300 Log can be used as the medic’s daily log or should be filled out concurrently with the medic log.

An injury or illness is classified as recordable if involves one or more of the following:

  • Death (Column G)
  • Days away from work (DAFW, Column H): Physician has ordered that the worker not return to work until recovery point is determined (e.g. “John is not allowed to return to work due to his injury for 10 days”).
  • Restricted work – job transfer (Column I): A restriction given to the worker, which limits their activity (e.g. “John is only able to lift 10 lbs with his right arm until follow-up appointment”). If the Production cannot accommodate the restrictions, them this type of injury becomes a DAFW case.
  • Medical treatment (beyond first aid, Column J), such as the following:
    • Prescription medication. The use of non-prescription medication at prescription strength as recommended by a physician or licensed health care professional (PLHCP) is considered prescription medication.
    • Immunizations (except tetanus) such as hepatitis B or rabies vaccines.
    • Wound-closing devices such as surgical glue, sutures, staples, etc.
    • Any device with rigid stays or other systems designed to immobilize parts of the body.
    • Therapeutic massages such as physical therapy or chiropractic treatment.
    • Removal of foreign material that is embedded in the eye.
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Other serious or significant cases diagnosed by a physician or licensed health care professional (PLHCP)
  • Occupational injuries and illnesses that meet special recording criteria, such as:
    • Needle stick injuries and cuts from sharp objects that are contaminated with another person’s blood or other potentially infectious materials. Potentially infectious materials include human bodily fluids, tissues and organs, and materials infected with the HIV or hepatitis B virus.
    • An OSHA standard requires medical removal of an employee for medical surveillance.
    • Hearing loss

The case classification can be found on a worker’s work status report that a medical provider would give a worker after medical care is rendered.  If more than 2 recordable categories are possible, only use the worst case scenario.

For additional information or guidance on completing the 300 Log, please contact your designated Production Safety Manager.