Let’s be honest — most OSHA recordkeeping violations aren’t intentional.
They usually happen because:
The problem? OSHA doesn’t care why the mistake happened — only that it did.
Below are the 10 most common OSHA recordkeeping mistakes safety managers make, plus exactly how to fix them (and avoid them altogether).
This is one of the most common mistakes.
Not every injury belongs on the OSHA 300 Log.
If it only required basic first aid, it usually does not need to be recorded.
Why it happens:
Supervisors over-report to “be safe,” or no one is trained on recordability rules.
How to fix it:
Train supervisors on what is and isn’t recordable — and give them a simple decision process.
How Ving helps:
Ving’s training courses make sure supervisors understand OSHA recordability rules, so fewer incidents get logged incorrectly in the first place.
OSHA requires recordable injuries and illnesses to be entered on the log within 7 calendar days.
Waiting too long is a citation waiting to happen.
Why it happens:
Paper logs get forgotten. Emails get buried. The injury “didn’t seem serious at first.”
How to fix it:
Log incidents as soon as they’re reported — even if details may change later.
How Ving helps:
With Ving’s OSHA 300 template, incidents can be logged digitally right away and updated later if needed.
This one gets a lot of companies.
An injury might start as restricted duty — then turn into days away from work.
If the log isn’t updated, it’s incorrect.
Why it happens:
Paper logs don’t get revisited once they’re filled out.
How to fix it:
Treat the OSHA 300 Log as a living document, not a one-time form.
How Ving helps:
Ving allows you to update OSHA 300 entries without rewriting forms or tracking changes across spreadsheets.
“Employee hurt hand.”
“Worker injured knee.”
That’s not enough.
OSHA expects a clear description of what happened and what body part was affected.
Why it happens:
People rush. Or they assume OSHA doesn’t really read it.
(They do.)
How to fix it:
Slow down and write one clear sentence: what happened + body part.
How Ving helps:
Digital entry fields encourage complete descriptions and consistency across incidents.
If you have more than one establishment, each location typically needs its own OSHA 300 Log.
Combining everything into one log is a common — and costly — mistake.
Why it happens:
Centralized safety teams + paper logs = confusion.
How to fix it:
Maintain separate logs by location and keep them organized.
How Ving helps:
Ving allows you to manage records by location while still keeping everything in one system.
Certain injuries and illnesses are considered privacy cases and should not include employee names on the OSHA 300 Log.
Why it happens:
People don’t know which cases qualify — or forget the rule entirely.
How to fix it:
Train whoever fills out the log on privacy requirements and keep confidential details separate.
How Ving helps:
Digital recordkeeping reduces accidental exposure of private employee information.
Every OSHA 300 Log entry must have a matching OSHA 301 Incident Report (or equivalent).
Missing reports are a frequent OSHA citation.
Why it happens:
The 300 gets filled out, but the 301 is forgotten or misplaced.
How to fix it:
Make the 301 part of your standard incident response process.
How Ving helps:
Ving keeps documentation together — no more hunting through file cabinets or email threads.
The OSHA 300A Summary must be:
Every year.
Why it happens:
It’s seasonal, easy to forget, and often buried in paperwork.
How to fix it:
Put reminders on your calendar and prepare the summary early.
How Ving helps:
When your OSHA data is already digital, year-end summaries are faster and less stressful.
Many employers must submit injury data electronically to OSHA — and OSHA is watching for accuracy.
Submitting incomplete or incorrect data can trigger inspections.
Why it happens:
Manual data entry, last-minute rushes, or inconsistent records.
How to fix it:
Review logs carefully before submitting and keep data consistent all year.
How Ving helps:
Ving keeps your records clean and centralized, making electronic reporting far easier.
This is the big one.
When OSHA recordkeeping is treated as a checkbox task, mistakes multiply — and safety issues get missed.
Why it happens:
No system. No training. Too many disconnected tools.
How to fix it:
Tie recordkeeping to training, inspections, and real safety improvements.
How Ving helps:
Ving connects OSHA recordkeeping with training, checklists, and documentation — so compliance supports safety, not just paperwork.
Nearly every mistake on this list comes down to:
That’s exactly why safety teams are moving OSHA recordkeeping online.
With Ving’s OSHA 300 Log template, you can take your paper charting digital, keep records organized all year, and make annual filing far easier — without adding more work to your plate.
Ving also helps you:
Ving doesn’t replace OSHA — it helps you stay compliant with OSHA.
If you’re ready to reduce mistakes, save time, and stop stressing about recordkeeping, Ving is built for exactly that.