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Homemade Stitches
Question: An employee cuts their arm while opening a box at work. They self-administer stitches and later are directed to visit the doctor. The doctor opines that the stitches are unnecessary and a simple wound covering would have sufficed for treatment. Is it recordable?
Answer: NO. Medical treatment must be recommended by the employer or a licensed healthcare professional in order for it to be considered medical treatment beyond first aid for OSHA recordkeeping purposes.
Letter of Interpretation Generally, OSHA does not consider self-treatment or self-medication by the employee to constitute medical treatment beyond first aid. The treatment must be directed or recommended by the employer or a health care professional to be considered medical treatment beyond first aid.