Is It Recordable?
Scenario Q83

Sent Home, is it Lost Time?: is it recordable?

Verdict: Not recordable
Published 2020-09-14

Question

Joe works for a company that gives employees the option of working from home or in an office. Joe likes going into the office for the face-to-face interaction. When working in the office, his company requires use of a surgical mask. Joe developed a rash on his face where the mask touches his skin and his doctor says he should just work at home from now on. Is it recordable?

Answer

NO. There was no medical treatment beyond first aid, restricted work or lost time due to the employee working from home as a normal office space.
1904.7(a) Basic requirement. You must consider an injury or illness to meet the general recording criteria, and therefore to be recordable, if it results in any of the following: death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness. You must also consider a case to meet the general recording criteria if it involves a significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care professional, even if it does not result in death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/interlinking/standards/1904.7(a)

Illustration for the scenario: Sent Home, is it Lost Time?

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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.