How Do I Classify a Needlestick on My OSHA Log?

The Occupational & Safety Health Administration provides guidelines for documenting workplace injuries such as accidental needlesticks. These injuries are hazardous due to risk of exposure to infectious materials. The OSHA Form 300 -- Log of Work-Related Illnesses and Injuries -- is used to document these injuries. The severity classification of the injury is determined by the outcome -- death, number of days away from work, resulting work restrictions and advanced first aid interventions required. Specific documentation procedures are required for needlestick injuries.

Things You'll Need

• OSHA Form 300

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Instructions

• 1

  Record needlestick injuries that occur on the job using the OSHA Form 300. Documentation is only required for needlesticks that involve exposure to another person's blood or other potentially infectious materials. Do not record the employee's name on the OSHA 300 Form in the case of needlestick. Instead, write "privacy case" in the space normally used for the employee's name. Document the case number, date, time and location where the injury occurred and the circumstances that caused the injury.

• 2

  Place a check mark in the appropriate column to classify the severity of the injury. This column can be edited if the employee's condition worsens. Document the number of days of restricted work or the employee was absent due to the injury.

• 3

  Classify a needlestick as an injury -- wound or damage caused by an event in the workplace -- in the final column of the OSHA Form 300. Maintain these records for five years from the date of injury.