What Counts as a Recordable Injury in 2026?

What Does “Recordable Injury” Actually Mean?

In OSHA parlance, a recordable injury or illness is one that meets specific criteria for work-relatedness and severity. If a case results in:

• Death,
• Days away from work (DAFW),
• Restricted work or transfer,
• Medical treatment beyond first aid, or
• Loss of consciousness,

then it typically must be recorded on your OSHA 300 log. These categories form the backbone of the recordability test for injuries and illnesses across industries.

Key takeaway: If a worker’s injury or illness goes beyond basic first aid AND is work-related, it likely meets the OSHA definition of a recordable case.

OSHA Recordkeeping Basics for 2026

Work-Relatedness

An injury is work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment caused or contributed to the condition — regardless of where the injury happened — unless the injury is specifically excluded (e.g., commuting accidents in most cases).

Examples of work-related recordable injuries include:

• Slips and falls on the job site
• Repetitive strain injuries from job tasks
• Heat-related illnesses during work hours

Examples not work-related (and therefore not recordable):

• Injuries during personal errands
• Accidents on normal commute
• Injuries during lunch breaks away from work site

What Injuries and Illnesses Are Recordable in 2026?

Here’s how OSHA breaks recordable cases down:

1. Death

Any work-related fatality must be recorded and reported immediately.

2. Days Away From Work (DAFW)

If an employee cannot return to work the day after the injury, this is recordable.

3. Restricted Work or Job Transfer

Even if an employee returns to work, restrictions count — such as light duty or modified tasks.

4. Medical Treatment Beyond First Aid

Medical treatment by a licensed healthcare professional — like stitches, prescription medication, or surgical procedures — is recordable. Basic first aid items like bandages or ice are NOT recordable.

5. Loss of Consciousness

Even temporarily losing consciousness on the job is recordable.

OSHA First Aid vs. Medical Treatment: What’s the Difference?

It’s vital to distinguish first aid from medical treatment, because only the latter triggers recordability.

First aid includes:

• Washing wounds
• Applying bandages
• Using cold packs
• Removing foreign bodies from the eye
• Brief immobilization devices like splints (temporary)

Medical treatment includes:

• Prescription medication
• Sutures (stitches)
• Physical therapy
• Treatment of fractures
• Licensed professional evaluation

If treatment crosses that line, it’s a recordable case.

Recordable Illnesses You Can’t Ignore

Common recordable illnesses include:

• Occupational asthma
• Skin disorders (chemical burns, dermatitis)
• Hearing loss that meets OSHA thresholds
• Chronic conditions clearly linked to work exposures

Keeping accurate exposure records and employee reports helps validate whether these cases are work-related.

2026 Recordkeeping Changes You Need to Know

As of 2026, OSHA has updated some definitions and reporting thresholds — especially around electronic submissions and privacy concerns. Key changes include:

• New electronic filing requirements for establishments with 100+ employees
• Expanded definitions of work-relatedness for remote workers
• Clarified exclusions for non-work-related mental health conditions

Note to Safety Directors: Always cross-check the latest OSHA regulatory updates and guidance letters — 2026 recordkeeping adds nuance in areas like telework and wellness programs.

How to Make Recordkeeping Easier

With OSHA expecting higher data quality and more audits, consider:

• Training supervisors on injury reporting criteria
• Using standardized incident intake forms
• Implementing a digital injury tracking system
• Setting up routine OSHA 300 log reviews

Having a consistent process reduces underreporting and ensures compliance.

Common Mistakes Safety Directors Should Avoid

1. Failing to record restricted work cases
2. Misclassifying medical treatment as first aid
3. Ignoring recordable illnesses
4. Not updating logs in a timely manner
5. Neglecting to collect OSHA 301 incident details

These errors can trigger citations and misrepresent your safety performance.

Final Thoughts

As workplace dynamics evolve in 2026 — from hybrid job roles to updated reporting mandates — the definition of a recordable injury remains grounded in work-relatedness and severity. For Safety Directors, understanding these rules isn’t just regulatory — it’s critical for protecting workers, improving safety programs, and maintaining credible data that drives action.