A subcontractor reports a worker injury requiring 3 stitches and return to work the next day. As the general contractor, what is your OSHA recordkeeping responsibility?
Correct Answer
C) Only the subcontractor must record the injury
Generally, each employer is responsible for recording injuries to their own employees. The subcontractor must record injuries to their workers on their own OSHA forms, not the general contractor, unless specific circumstances require otherwise.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Under OSHA recordkeeping requirements, each employer is responsible for maintaining injury and illness records for their own employees only. The subcontractor, as the direct employer of the injured worker, must record this injury on their own OSHA Form 300 since it required medical treatment (stitches) beyond first aid. The general contractor does not record injuries to subcontractor employees unless they have assumed direct supervisory control over the work or worker, which is not indicated in this scenario.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: No recording required since worker returned next day
This is incorrect because the severity of injury requiring stitches makes it recordable regardless of return-to-work timing. Any injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid must be recorded on OSHA forms, even if the worker returns the next day.
Option B: Record on your Form 300 as the controlling employer
This is wrong because being the 'controlling employer' for safety oversight does not transfer recordkeeping responsibilities for subcontractor employees. The general contractor only records injuries to their own direct employees, not subcontractor workers.
Option D: Record only if the injury occurred in a common work area
This is incorrect because the location of the injury (common work area vs. specific work zone) does not determine recordkeeping responsibility. The employer-employee relationship determines who records the injury, not the physical location where it occurred.
Memory Technique
Think 'Own Employees Only' - each company records injuries to their own workers, regardless of who controls the jobsite
Reference Hint
OSHA 29 CFR 1904 - Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, specifically 1904.31 regarding covered employees
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