OSHA Form 300

What is the OSHA Form 300?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Form 300 is a log employers use to track any work-related injuries or illnesses that happen during the year. It records what occurred, who was involved, when it happened, and how serious it was. This injury log is a key part of OSHA reporting and helps organizations stay on top of workplace safety.

The form also includes two connected documents. OSHA Form 300A, the annual Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, must be posted in a visible location from February 1 to April 30, so employees can review the previous year’s safety record. OSHA Form 301, the Injury and Illness Incident Report, must be completed within seven days of learning about a work-related case. It provides a more detailed account of each incident.

Following OSHA reporting requirements is essential for employers and HR teams. OSHA compliance supports safer workplaces and ensures adherence to federal law. Failure to complete or post these forms correctly can lead to financial penalties or regulatory issues down the line.

Visit OSHA’s website to download a copy of the form and instructions.

What is OSHA reporting?

OSHA reporting is how employers track and submit information about workplace injuries and illnesses. It ensures accurate recordkeeping and helps organizations identify and address workplace risks.

The reporting process works in the following ways:

• Enter every recordable case on OSHA Form 300—the injury and illness log.
• Complete OSHA Form 301 within seven days to capture detailed incident data.
• Prepare the OSHA Form 300A annual summary for the previous calendar year.
• Submit the 300A summary electronically via OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application if your establishment is covered by the electronic reporting rule.
• Display the 300A summary in a visible area for employees from February 1 to April 30.

What types of injuries should be reported?

Employers must record any work-related injury or illness that meets OSHA’s criteria for a recordable case. These are incidents that happen while an employee is performing job-related duties and requires more than basic first aid.

To qualify for the OSHA criteria, a worker needs to officially be on the clock and performing job-related duties. For example, if a worker is injured at work while retrieving something after hours, it shouldn’t be recorded.

Recordable cases include:

• Injuries requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, including stitches, prescription medication, or wound care
• Incidents causing unconsciousness, days away from work, restricted duties, or job transfers
• Diagnosed medical conditions, such as cancer, chronic illnesses, fractures, broken teeth, or other significant injuries
• Fatalities linked to workplace activities

Some conditions—such as work-related hearing loss, tuberculosis, or certain infections—have additional reporting rules.

Minor issues that only require first aid (e.g. bandages, ice, over-the-counter medication) don’t need to be recorded.

For full guidance, refer to OSHA’s official documentation.

Which businesses need to fill out the OSHA Form 300?

OSHA Form 300 is required for establishments that fall under OSHA’s recordkeeping rules.

Understanding whether your organization must complete the form is an important part of staying compliant and demonstrating a commitment to employee safety.

Businesses must complete OSHA Form 300 if they:

• Have 10 or more employees. This includes full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers. Employers with fewer than 10 employees typically only need to report the most serious incidents directly to OSHA.
• Operate in an industry classified as high-hazard. These industries have historically higher rates of workplace injuries and illnesses, and therefore must keep an OSHA injury and illness log.

Examples of high-hazard industries

• Manufacturing (machinery operation, assembly lines, chemical processing)
• Construction (electrical work, roofing, scaffolding, heavy equipment)
• Agriculture and farming (equipment operation, animal handling, crop production)
• Transportation and warehousing (fleet operations, loading, logistics)
• Healthcare and social assistance (patient handling, exposure risks, emergency response)
• Utilities (electrical power, water treatment, gas operations)
• Mining and quarrying (excavation, drilling, heavy machinery)

For complete lists of industries required to keep OSHA records—and those that are exempt—review OSHA’s official recordkeeping resources. For those exempt, see the partially exempt industries.

What happens if you don’t record injuries with an OSHA Form 300?

Failing to document work-related injuries and illnesses on OSHA Form 300 can expose employers to legal, financial, and operational risks.

OSHA compliance relies on accurate reporting to assess workplace safety, and incomplete or missing logs can be treated as a violation of federal recordkeeping rules.

Key risks of not completing OSHA Form 300 include:

• Penalties and fines: OSHA can issue citations for missing, incorrect or incomplete logs, with fines reaching thousands of dollars per violation. Repeated or wilful violations can lead to substantially higher penalties.
• Risk management gaps: Without accurate recordkeeping, employers lose visibility into workplace trends, making it harder to identify hazards, prevent incidents, or review safety procedures effectively.
• External scrutiny: Underreporting can trigger more frequent OSHA inspections, audits, and follow-up visits, especially if an incident raises concerns about OSHA compliance.
• Weaker employee confidence: Workers may feel unsafe or unsupported if injuries aren’t properly recorded. This can affect morale and trust in workplace safety processes.