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Standards & Metrics

Recordable Injury

A work-related injury or illness that meets OSHA criteria for recording on the employer's injury and illness log.

What It Means

Under OSHA's recordkeeping standard (29 CFR 1904), employers with more than ten employees in most industries must maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses. An injury or illness is considered recordable if it results in death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or a significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician or licensed healthcare professional. First aid treatments such as bandages, non-prescription medications, and tetanus immunizations do not trigger recording requirements. Employers must record these incidents on OSHA Form 300 (the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), Form 300A (the annual Summary), and Form 301 (the individual Incident Report). The annual summary must be posted in the workplace from February 1 through April 30 each year. These records serve as the basis for calculating injury rates such as the Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and the Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rate, which OSHA uses to target high-hazard workplaces for programmed inspections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Recordable Injury" mean in OSHA context?

A work-related injury or illness that meets OSHA criteria for recording on the employer's injury and illness log.

Why does Recordable Injury matter for workplace safety?

Under OSHA's recordkeeping standard (29 CFR 1904), employers with more than ten employees in most industries must maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses. An injury or illness is considered recordable if it results in death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medic...

Related Terms

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.
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.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
The federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace safety and health standards across the United States.

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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.