OSHA Recordkeeping

OSHA Recordkeeping is a foundational compliance obligation for construction companies and other employers with more than 10 employees in most industries. The regulations require employers to record any work-related injury or illness that results in death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or a significant diagnosis by a physician. Employers must also report any work-related fatality within 8 hours and any amputation, loss of an eye, or inpatient hospitalization within 24 hours.

The three core recordkeeping forms serve distinct purposes. OSHA Form 300 is a running log maintained throughout the year that records each recordable injury or illness. Form 301 captures detailed information about each individual incident, including the circumstances, the nature of the injury, and the treatment provided. Form 300A is an annual summary that tallies the year's recorded injuries by category and must be certified by a company executive and posted where employees can see it. Since 2017, certain employers are also required to electronically submit injury and illness data to OSHA through the Injury Tracking Application (ITA).

Accurate recordkeeping is important beyond mere regulatory compliance. OSHA uses submitted data to identify industries, employers, and worksites with elevated injury rates for targeted inspection. Inaccurate or incomplete recordkeeping is itself a citable violation, with penalties of up to $16,131 per violation for serious recordkeeping deficiencies and up to $161,323 per violation for willful failures. For construction companies, maintaining precise injury records also supports workers' compensation management, helps identify safety training gaps, and demonstrates a commitment to workplace safety during prequalification evaluations.