Mastering OSHA Recordkeeping: Key Takeaways from Our Recent Webinar
At Holmes Murphy, we know that safety programs don’t succeed because of paperwork — but the paperwork still matters. OSHA recordkeeping is one of the most misunderstood areas of safety compliance, and even experienced contractors find themselves second‑guessing what should be logged, what shouldn’t, and how to classify the gray areas.
During our recent OSHA Recordkeeping Essentials webinar, our Risk & Safety team walked through the foundational elements contractors need to understand to stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes. Below is a recap of the biggest takeaways — and how you can start applying them on your job sites today.
Why OSHA Logs Matter More Than Most Think
Your OSHA logs don’t just sit in a binder on a shelf. They shape how OSHA views your organization, how your safety performance is measured, and how your company stacks up against industry averages.
Accurate logs help you:
Identify trends in injuries
Pinpoint operational blind spots
Strengthen your safety strategy
Avoid unnecessary inspections triggered by inaccurate reporting
Recording too much is almost as problematic as recording too little — both distort your safety performance picture.
OSHA Recordable Injuries vs. Workers’ Compensation Claims
One of the biggest points of confusion we addressed during the webinar is the difference between an OSHA recordable injury and a workers’ compensation claim.
Here’s the simplest way to frame it:
Workers’ Comp focuses on insurance and benefits
OSHA Recordkeeping focuses on workplace safety performance
A workers’ comp claim does not automatically mean the case is OSHA recordable — and vice versa.
Understanding this difference prevents over‑reporting, which can artificially inflate your incident rates and affect your company profile.
Are You Exempt? Understanding OSHA Reporting Requirements
OSHA doesn’t require every contractor or business to maintain the same level of reporting. During the webinar, we walked through how to determine whether your company qualifies for a partial exemption based on industry classification or company size.
If you don’t fall into an exempt category, you’re required to maintain OSHA 300 logs and complete annual summaries. The key is knowing where you stand so you’re not under‑ or over‑complying.
Counting Days Correctly (Yes, OSHA Has Rules for That)
Lost time? Restricted duty? Days away from work? Days of job transfer?
OSHA has very specific rules for how days must be counted — and yes, weekends and holidays count, even if your employee wouldn’t have worked them.
Our team walked through common scenarios and emphasized the formula OSHA expects employers to use to avoid inconsistent logs. When in doubt, consistency and documentation are your best defense.
Classifying Injuries the Right Way
Not every incident is created equal. During the webinar we covered:
Medical treatment vs. first aid
Work‑related vs. non‑work‑related injuries
Aggravation of pre‑existing conditions
Significant diagnoses that are automatically recordable
Misclassification is one of OSHA’s top triggers for audits — getting this right protects your organization.
Handling Privacy Cases & Carryover Injuries
Some injuries require privacy protection under OSHA’s rules. This includes sensitive cases where the employee’s identity must be withheld from the log.
We also addressed how to handle injuries that extend beyond the calendar year (old vs. new cases), an area many contractors find tricky. Consistent logging of carryover injuries is essential for accuracy.
Understanding Your DART Rate (and Why It Matters)
Your DART rate — Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred — is one of OSHA’s core metrics in evaluating a company’s safety program.
In the webinar, we covered:
How to calculate DART accurately
How OSHA uses it
How your DART compares to industry averages
How to use it internally to track improvement
A strong DART rate reflects a strong safety culture, but only when the underlying logs are accurate.
Final Thoughts: Good Recordkeeping = Good Safety Culture
Accurate OSHA logs aren’t just a compliance requirement — they’re a management tool. They tell the story of your job sites, your people, and your company’s commitment to safety.
For many contractors, the challenge isn’t the work itself — it’s understanding the rules, applying them consistently, and avoiding pitfalls that lead to over‑reporting or compliance issues. Our Risk & Safety team is here to help you do exactly that.
If you missed the webinar and want a copy of the slides or a deeper discussion on how OSHA recordkeeping impacts your organization, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to help keep your people safe and your business moving forward.
