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708 OSHA Recordkeeping Basics
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708 OSHA Recordkeeping Basics

Introduction to Forms

What are the required forms?

You must use the OSHA 300, 300A, and OSHA Form 301 or equivalent forms as described below:

Three OSHA forms
View instructions at OSHA's Forms Page.
  • OSHA 300 Log:, Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. This form includes information about the employee's name, job title, date of the injury or illness, where the injury or illness occurred, description of the injury or illness (e.g., body part affected), and the outcome of the injury or illness (e.g., death, days away from work, job transfer or restriction).
  • The OSHA 300A: Annual Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. This form includes general information about an employer's workplace, such as the average number of employees and total number of hours worked by all employees during the calendar year. It does not contain information about individual employees. Employers are required to prepare this form at the end of each year and post the form in a visible location in the workplace from February 1 to April 30 of the year following the year covered by the form.

  • The OSHA Form 301: Injury and Illness Incident Report. This form includes the employee's name and address, date of birth, date hired, and gender and the name and address of the health care professional that treated the employee, as well as more detailed information about where and how the injury or illness occurred.

    An equivalent form is one that has the same information, is readable and understandable, and is completed using the same instructions as the OSHA form it replaces. Many employers use an insurance form instead of the OSHA Form 301 or supplement an insurance form by adding any additional information required by OSHA.

How quickly must each injury or illness be recorded?

Record within 7 days: You must enter each recordable injury or illness on the OSHA 300 Log and OSHA Form 301 or equivalent within 7 calendar days of receiving information that a recordable injury or illness has occurred: for example, if a new case is discovered.

May I keep my records on a computer?

Yes Yes, if the computer can produce equivalent forms when they are needed, as described under 1904.35 and 1904.40, you may keep your records using the computer system.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-1. How soon must the employer enter a recordable injury or illness on the OSHA 300 Log?

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