29 CFR 1904.7: General recording criteria

Question 1

During a shift, a welder faints after inhaling fumes at work and is unconscious for about 30 seconds. He wakes on his own, declines treatment, and returns to his normal duties. The safety coordinator asks whether the case must be recorded. What is the correct determination?

1. ARecordable only if a physician later confirms the fumes caused the fainting
2. BRecordable only if he was unconscious for more than 5 minutes
3. CRecordable, because the worker became unconscious, regardless of how long he stayed unconscious
4. DNot recordable, because he received no medical treatment and lost no work time

Question 2

A laborer strains his shoulder at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday. The site clinic's physician assistant restricts him from overhead work for the remainder of that day only. He returns Wednesday with no restrictions and performs all routine duties. Under the restricted work rules, how should the restriction be treated?

1. AIt is recorded as one day of restricted work because a licensed professional imposed it
2. BIt is not recorded as restricted work because the restriction applied only to the day the injury occurred
3. CIt is recorded as restricted work only if the laborer loses at least three hours of pay
4. DIt is recorded as restricted work only if the restriction is put in writing by the employer

Question 3

A warehouse worker cuts her forearm on a strapping band. The on-site clinic physician closes the laceration with sutures and the worker returns to her regular duties. The safety manager says the case is only first aid because a licensed physician provided the care. According to the recordkeeping rule, what is the correct determination?

1. AFirst aid, because a physician's care is always considered first aid when the employee has no days away from work
2. BNot first aid only because the care was provided by a physician rather than a nurse
3. CFirst aid, because any wound closure performed on site is first aid
4. DNot first aid, because sutures are medical treatment; wound closing devices other than butterfly bandages or Steri-Strips go beyond first aid

Question 4

A warehouse worker strains her back on a Tuesday. The employer's physician recommends that she stay home for three days. She comes to work on Wednesday anyway because she wants to avoid losing pay. How should the employer handle this on the OSHA 300 Log?

1. ARecord it as a days-away case with the three recommended days, because the days away must be recorded whether or not the employee follows the recommendation
2. BDo not record days away, because the employee actually reported to work and lost no time
3. CRecord it as days away only for the days the employee actually stayed home, which here is zero
4. DRecord it only as a restricted work case, because the employee worked against medical advice

Question 5

A warehouse employee hurts his shoulder lifting a pallet on Wednesday. A physician treats him that day and recommends he stay home for the next four calendar days. The employee, worried about a shipping deadline, reports for his normal shift on Thursday and works all day despite the supervisor encouraging him to follow the physician's advice. How must the employer record this case on the OSHA 300 Log?

1. AAs a restricted-work case, because the employee performed his job against medical advice
2. BAs a days-away case with zero days entered, because only days the employee was actually absent can be counted
3. CAs an 'other recordable case' with no days counted, because the employee actually worked his regular shift
4. DAs a days-away case with four days entered, because the recommended days away must be recorded whether or not the employee follows the recommendation