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708 OSHA Recordkeeping Basics
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What if the reportable fatality, injury, or illness does not occur during or right after the work-related incident?

You must only report a fatality to OSHA if the fatality occurs within 30 days of the work-related incident.

Person being loaded by responder into ambulance
Report if a hospitalization occurs within 24 hours after the incident.

For an in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye, you must only report the event to OSHA if it occurs within 24 hours of the work-related incident.

However, the fatality, in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye must be recorded on your OSHA injury and illness records, if you are required to keep such records.

What if I don't learn about a reportable or work-related incident right away?

If you do not learn about a reportable incident at the time it takes place or a work-related incident right away, you must make a report to OSHA within the following time period after the incident is reported to you or to any of your agent(s):

  • 8 hours for a fatality, and
  • 24 hours for an in-patient hospitalization, an amputation, or a loss of an eye.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

5-4. According to OSHA, you must only report a fatality to OSHA if it occurred _____.