Is It Recordable?
Scenario Q38

COVID-19 Self-Medication Injury: is it recordable?

Verdict: Not recordable
Published 2020-04-12

Question

At a fish tank cleaner manufacturer, an employee insists the fish tank cleaner can act as a medication to prevent COVID-19 infection due to a particular ingredient in the cleaner. The employee has completed all hazardous communication training but is fearful of COVID-19. The employee ingests the product at work and dies approximately 45 minutes thereafter. Is it recordable?

Answer

NO. The employee took the fish tank cleaner in an attempt to self-medicate. Self-medicating is an exemption under OSHA.
1904.5(b)(2) Are there situations where an injury or illness occurs in the work environment and is not considered work-related? Yes, an injury or illness occurring in the work environment that falls under one of the following exceptions is not work-related, and therefore is not recordable.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1904/1904.5

Illustration for the scenario: COVID-19 Self-Medication Injury
Have a different situation? Ask RedBeard your recordkeeping question or search all 232 scenarios.

Related scenarios

Q171

COVID Vaccine Injury

An employee is heavily pressured by their employer to get the COVID19 vaccine. As a result of the vaccine, the employee experienced a…

Recordable
Q132

Aichmophobia

An employer offers a financial reward of $200 to take a voluntary covid vaccine. An employee loses consciousness before the needle…

Recordable
Q116

COVID-19 Vaccine Injury

An employee receives the COVID-19 vaccine as required by their employer. Due to a negative reaction to the vaccine, they become…

Recordable

This is guidance based on 29 CFR Part 1904 and OSHA letters of interpretation. Facts and details may be altered or fictional. As specified by OSHA, the employer is responsible for the final recordability determination.