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OSHA Recordkeeping
& First Aid
Classification Guide

An 8-page practical reference that helps supervisors, safety personnel, and recordkeepers determine whether a workplace incident is recordable under 29 CFR Part 1904 — and whether care given counts as first aid or medical treatment.

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Everything You Need to Get Recordability Right

The guide consolidates the key rules from 29 CFR Part 1904 into a format you can actually use at the worksite — without having to read the full regulation.

The Four-Question Test

Work through four ordered questions to determine whether any incident must be recorded on the OSHA 300 log — clear criteria, no guesswork.

First Aid vs. Medical Treatment

OSHA's complete, closed list of what qualifies as first aid — and what crosses the line into recordable medical treatment — with real-world examples for each.

Quick-Reference Table

Side-by-side first aid vs. medical treatment breakdowns by injury type: cuts, burns, eye injuries, strains, medications, oxygen, bruises, and more.

Temp & Contract Workers

Who records what when temps, contractors, and self-employed workers are involved — based on day-to-day supervision rules, not payroll status.

Days Away & Restricted Work

How to count Day Zero, the 180-day cap, handling conflicting PLHCP recommendations, weekends, and switching between restricted and days-away status.

Key Clarifications & Glossary

Single-dose prescriptions, OTC at prescription strength, wound coverings vs. closures, loss of consciousness, and a full acronym glossary (TRIR, DART, LTI, and more).

Built for the People Making the Call

This guide is written for the people at the worksite — not OSHA compliance attorneys. If you're deciding whether to fill out an OSHA 300 log entry, this is your reference.

  • Supervisors who need to make a recordability call in the field without consulting legal every time
  • Safety personnel maintaining the OSHA 300 log and preparing for audits or prequalification reviews
  • HSE managers training crews on incident documentation and first aid classification
  • Contractors on ISNetworld®, Avetta®, or Veriforce® who need a clean TRIR to stay prequalified
  • Small business owners without a full-time safety officer who handle recordkeeping themselves

First Aid or Recordable?

A fast-reference for the most common classification questions

Butterfly bandages / Steri-Strips First Aid
Sutures or staples Recordable
Single dose prescription medication Recordable
OTC antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) First Aid
Precautionary oxygen, no symptoms First Aid
Oxygen for exposed worker with symptoms Recordable
Chiropractic manipulation Recordable
Draining a blister First Aid

Get Your Business Prequalification-Ready

A clean OSHA recordkeeping log helps — but prequalification platforms require a full written HSE program. Our packages include every written procedure, compliance document, and training presentation your platform requires, ready to submit the same day.