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Injured Nose
Question: An employee using the restroom on break is struck by the stall door when a co-worker was unaware the stall was occupied. The door contacted the employee’s nose as he was preparing to exit. As a result, his nose is bloody and diagnosed as broken by the site nurse, but a clinic x-ray reveals no bone fracture. After the bleeding is stopped, the nurse provides ice and over the counter ibuprofen. The employee received no restrictions and did not miss any time. Is it recordable?
Answer: NO. There is no bone fracture in the nose. Even though the employee was in the restroom, it is still considered part of the work environment and during work hours. All other treatment is considered first aid.
1904.5(a) Basic requirement. You must consider an injury or illness to be work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a pre-existing injury or illness. Work-relatedness is presumed for injuries and illnesses resulting from events or exposures occurring in the work environment, unless an exception in §1904.5(b)(2) specifically applies
1904.5(b) Implementation.
1904.5(b)(1) What is the "work environment"? OSHA defines the work environment as "the establishment and other locations where one or more employees are working or are present as a condition of their employment. The work environment includes not only physical locations, but also the equipment or materials used by the employee during the course of his or her work."
1904.7(b)(5)(ii) What is "first aid"? For the purposes of Part 1904, \"first aid\" means the following:
1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(A) Using a non-prescription medication at nonprescription strength (for medications available in both prescription and non-prescription form, a recommendation by a physician or other licensed health care professional to use a non-prescription medication at prescription strength is considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes);
1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(E) Using hot or cold therapy;