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708 OSHA Recordkeeping Basics
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Recordability and Compensability

Many cases that are recorded in the OSHA system are also compensable under the State workers' compensation system, but many others are not.

recordkeeping
Recordable records may or may not be compensable.

The two systems have different purposes and scopes.

  • OSHA. The OSHA recordkeeping system is intended to collect, compile and analyze uniform and consistent nationwide data on occupational injuries and illnesses.
  • Workers' Compensation. The workers' compensation system, in contrast, is not designed primarily to generate and collect data but is intended primarily to provide medical coverage and compensation for workers who are killed, injured or made ill at work, and varies in coverage from one state to another.
Worker's Compensation: The Basics

Recording an injury or illness neither affects a person's entitlement to workers' compensation nor proves a violation of an OSHA rule. The rules for compensability under workers' compensation do not have any effect on whether or not a case needs to be recorded on the OSHA 300 Log. Many cases will be OSHA recordable and compensable under workers' compensation. However, some cases will be compensable but not OSHA recordable, and some cases will be OSHA recordable but not compensable under workers' compensation.

The employer must analyze the case in light of both the OSHA recording criteria and the requirements of the State workers' compensation system to determine whether the case is recordable or compensable, or both.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-6. Which of the following is TRUE regarding injury and illness case recordability and compensability?