All it would take is someone asking you about certain jobs and you’d likely readily agree that they’re dangerous.
You can sit down and sort through government and industry statistics detailing the dangers that you face in certain industries. You might be unaware, however, that resources exist that can provide you with a much more detailed look into the risks associated with specific job tasks. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) 300 log can provide you with that insight.
What is a 300 log, and who must maintain one?
Virtually any employer that has 10 or more workers must maintain this log, within which they record any injury incidents or illnesses involving their employees. Some of the details that employers must record include:
- Where the incident occurred
- Whether the worker was using specific equipment when they became unwell
- Tasks the worker was performing when they suffered an injury or illness
- Whether the condition warranted treatment beyond first aid
- The actual diagnosis that a worker receives
- Whether the condition resulted in the worker losing consciousness
- If the worker’s illness or injuries warranted them taking time off work, and if so, how long
- Whether the worker died from their injuries
- If the worker ended up needing to restrict their work or transfer to a different role due to their diagnosis
The goal behind tracking this information is to give employers ideas about how to better train their staff or make their workplace safer. OSHA sometimes audits these reports to gain similar insights.
You should report any job-related illness or injury to your employer soon after its onset. This is key to getting the ball rolling if your situation leads to a workers’ comp claim.
