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Standards & Metrics

OSHA 300 Log

The official Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses that most employers are required to maintain and make available to OSHA inspectors.

What It Means

The OSHA 300 Log is a standardized form (OSHA Form 300) where employers record each work-related injury and illness that meets the recording criteria defined in 29 CFR 1904. The log captures information including the employee's name, job title, the date and location of the injury, a description of the injury or illness, and the outcome (days away from work, restricted duty, or job transfer). Employers must maintain the log for five years following the year the injuries occurred. A companion form, the OSHA 300A Summary, aggregates the year's data and must be posted in a visible location in the workplace from February 1 through April 30. Since 2017, OSHA has required certain employers to submit their injury data electronically through the Injury Tracking Application (ITA), which OSHA uses for enforcement targeting and public reporting. Failure to maintain accurate OSHA 300 logs is itself a citable violation that can result in penalties. Accurate recordkeeping is foundational to workplace safety management because it helps employers identify hazard patterns and measure the effectiveness of safety programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "OSHA 300 Log" mean in OSHA context?

The official Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses that most employers are required to maintain and make available to OSHA inspectors.

Why does OSHA 300 Log matter for workplace safety?

The OSHA 300 Log is a standardized form (OSHA Form 300) where employers record each work-related injury and illness that meets the recording criteria defined in 29 CFR 1904. The log captures information including the employee's name, job title, the date and location of the injury, a description of t...

Related Terms

Recordable Injury
A work-related injury or illness that meets OSHA criteria for recording on the employer's injury and illness log.
Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR)
A standardized metric that measures the number of recordable workplace injuries and illnesses per 200,000 hours worked (equivalent to 100 full-time workers per year).
DART Rate (Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred)
A metric measuring the rate of injuries and illnesses severe enough to result in days away from work, restricted duties, or job transfer per 200,000 hours worked.
Other-than-Serious Violation
A violation that has a direct relationship to job safety and health but would not likely cause death or serious physical harm.

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About This Data

Definitions based on OSHA standards, the OSH Act of 1970, and federal enforcement guidance. Penalty amounts reflect 2026 inflation-adjusted maximums. See our methodology.