Contractor License Practice Exam

If an injury only requires first aid, does that incident need to be recorded by the employer?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only if the employee requests it

4. Only if it happens twice within a month

The correct answer is: No

When it comes to workplace injuries, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes certain recording criteria that employers must follow. An incident that only requires first aid does not need to be recorded on the OSHA log for work-related injuries. First aid treatments typically include basic interventions such as applying bandages, administering ice packs, or cleaning a wound, which are considered minor and do not denote a significant risk to the health and safety of the employee. Therefore, unless the injury escalates or causes more severe repercussions, the employer is not obligated to record these minor incidents. Employers maintain records mainly for more serious injuries that could affect employees’ work capabilities or have a higher potential for resulting in serious health outcomes. This understanding allows employers to keep clearer records, focusing on injuries that pose greater risks, rather than minor, isolated, or non-threatening events. It is also important for employers to ensure that they keep track of any patterns or recurrent injuries to address any systemic issues, even if those incidents remain outside the formal reporting requirements.