OSHA 300 Log

The OSHA 300 Log is the form employers use to list work-related injuries and illnesses that meet OSHA's recording rules. Each recordable case gets one line, with details such as the employee, the job, the type of injury, and the days away or restricted.

OSHA's recordkeeping rules in 29 CFR Part 1904 also require a yearly summary on Form 300A and an incident report on Form 301 for each case.

Who Must Keep an OSHA 300 Log?

Many employers with more than 10 employees must record injuries and illnesses on the 300, 300A, and 301 forms. Some low-hazard industries are partially exempt, and OSHA publishes the list of those industries.

Even employers who do not keep a log must report certain events. A work-related fatality must be reported to OSHA within 8 hours, and an in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye within 24 hours.

If you are unsure whether you are covered, check your industry code against OSHA's list before the year starts.

What Goes on the OSHA 300 Log?

Record cases that are work-related and meet at least one criterion: death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or a significant diagnosed injury or illness.

Each line shows the case number, the employee's name, job title, date, location, a short description, and the outcome. Days away are counted in calendar days and capped at 180.

Entries are due within 7 calendar days of learning about a recordable case. Keep names private on the log copy shown to others where privacy rules apply.

What Are the OSHA 300A and 301 Forms?

A company executive must certify the 300A. Even a year with no recordable cases needs a 300A with zeros.

How Long Must You Keep the Records?

Keep the 300 Log, 300A, and 301 forms for five years following the end of the calendar year they cover. During that time, update the log if a case changes, such as more days away.

Employees, former employees, and their representatives have rights to see the log. Plan how you will respond to requests so privacy and access rules are both met.

Store the files where you can find them. An audit or inspection is a poor time to start searching.

Do You Have to Submit the Data to OSHA?

Some establishments must send certain injury and illness data to OSHA electronically once a year. The submission window runs from January 2 to March 2 through OSHA's Injury Tracking Application.

Which establishments must submit depends on size and industry criteria. Check OSHA's current rules each year, because the criteria have changed.

The OSHA compliance entry gives the wider picture of what employers owe OSHA.

What Mistakes Cause Log Problems?

Missed deadlines are common. A case learned about on Monday needs an entry within seven days, so build a reminder into your incident process.

Misjudging recordability is another. Treatment beyond first aid is recordable, so check the rules before leaving a case off.

Weak links to other data also hurt. A manufacturing safety compliance guide lists the 300, 300A, and 301 records among those that need audit-ready storage.

How Do You Keep the Log Accurate?

Assign one person to own the log and a backup to cover absences. Review each new case against the recording rules instead of relying on memory.

Reconcile the log with workers' compensation claims and first-aid records once a quarter. Differences often reveal cases that were missed or recorded late, and fixing them before year-end avoids problems on the annual summary.

How Does HR Cloud Fit Into the OSHA 300 Log?

HR Cloud does not provide an OSHA 300 Log form or electronic submission. Its frontline HR software page lists safety compliance tracking for production and warehouse teams.

Keep the official forms in your safety system or in OSHA's templates, and store signed certifications in the employee records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the OSHA 300 Log?

A: It is the form that lists work-related injuries and illnesses that meet OSHA's recording rules.

Q: Who has to keep an OSHA 300 Log?

A: Many employers with more than 10 employees, except some low-hazard industries that OSHA partially exempts.

Q: How long do you keep the OSHA 300 Log?

A: Five years following the end of the calendar year the records cover.

Q: What is the difference between the 300, 300A, and 301?

A: The 300 is the case list, the 300A is the yearly summary, and the 301 is the detail report for each case.

Q: When must the 300A be posted?

A: By February 1 of the following year, and it stays posted through April 30.

Q: How fast must a recordable case be entered?

A: Within 7 calendar days of the employer learning about it.