Recognize that not all injuries reported as work related, are necessarily related to performance of an employee’s job duties or exposure to a hazard in the workplace. The treatment provided determines the seriousness of the injury, and therefore determines if it is OSHA recordable. Therefore, all accidents must be thoroughly investigated to determine:
The basic elements of the incident/accident, what, where, when, who, how, and why
Management must evaluate and establish all relevant facts and opinions gathered from all sources
This represents Management’s best judgment of what happened, how it happened, why it happened, and what must be done to prevent such an incident/accident from happening again
In order to be OSHA recordable the injury/illness must occur while the employee is performing duties related to the employee’s job.
Key Elements to determine during your investigation
FIRST Determination: Is the injury is more likely work-related or more likely NOT work-related?
SECOND Determination: Does the treatment provided meet OSHA Recordable guidelines
Author: Deborah Grow, Safety Compliance Specialist
Private Safety Consultant, Sales-Marketing Director Damon Fall Protection and Coordinator EHS Network ~ Kansas.
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