What Is OSHA 301
The OSHA 301 is the Injury and Illness Incident Report form, a detailed supplementary document used to record specifics about each workplace injury, illness, or exposure event that meets OSHA recordability criteria. When an injury or illness qualifies for the OSHA 300 Log, you must complete a separate OSHA 301 form for that individual case within one business day of learning about it.
Unlike the 300 Log, which summarizes cases by line, the 301 captures the full narrative. It requires information such as the employee's name, job title, date and time of incident, location where it occurred, what the employee was doing, what happened, what injury or illness resulted, and what object or substance directly injured the employee. OSHA inspectors use these forms to verify the accuracy and completeness of your 300 Log during audits.
Completion Requirements
You must keep OSHA 301 forms on file for five years following the year in which they apply. If an employee transferred to a new job or location, you still record the incident at the location where it occurred. For occupational illnesses like chemical exposure or repetitive strain injury, document the date the employee first became aware of the condition, not the date of diagnosis.
OSHA requires legible entries and does not mandate a specific format, though the official form remains the standard. The form must be retained alongside your 300 Log during recordkeeping audits, which occur without notice. Non-compliance can result in penalties up to $15,708 per violation as of 2024.
Practical Examples
- Chemical burn: An employee spills caustic cleaning solution on their hand. The 301 documents the specific chemical, concentration, duration of contact, first aid provided, and whether the employee received emergency treatment.
- Fall injury: A worker falls from a ladder while performing roof maintenance. The 301 captures the height fallen, surface impact, protective equipment in use, and resulting fracture or contusion.
- Occupational illness: An employee reports hearing loss after five years in a manufacturing plant. The 301 dates the audiogram that confirmed the condition and notes exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels.
Relationship to Safety Audits
During OSHA inspections, compliance officers cross-reference your 301 forms against your 300 Log. Discrepancies, missing narratives, or incomplete incident details signal poor recordkeeping practices and trigger deeper investigation. If your 301 lacks sufficient detail or contradicts witness statements, OSHA may cite you for incomplete records separate from the underlying injury classification.
Many safety managers use the 301 completion process as a real-time safety audit trigger. Reviewing each incident form monthly reveals patterns in injury location, time of day, or equipment type that signal hazard control gaps requiring corrective action.
Common Questions
- Must we complete a 301 for every workplace incident? No. You only complete a 301 for injuries or illnesses that meet OSHA recordability standards, which include cases requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, resulting in lost work time, job transfer, or restricted work, or involving a work-related diagnosis. Minor cuts or abrasions treated with first aid alone do not require a 301.
- Can we destroy 301 forms after five years? Yes, provided you have retained your 300 Log per OSHA requirement. However, many organizations retain them longer for liability defense and to track safety trends over time.
- What happens if we discover an error on a completed 301? Draw a line through the incorrect entry, write the correction, date it, and initial it. Do not use correction fluid or erasure, as OSHA requires evidence of the original entry for audit purposes.