OSHA's first aid list

Treatment on this list does not make a case recordable. Anything not on it is "medical treatment beyond first aid" for recordkeeping purposes.

The basic rule

1904.7(a): a case is recordable if it results in death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness, or is a significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care professional.

What counts as first aid

For the purposes of Part 1904, "first aid" means the following (1904.7(b)(5)(ii)):

1. 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)(A)
2. Administering tetanus immunizations (other immunizations, such as Hepatitis B vaccine or rabies vaccine, are considered medical treatment); 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(B)
3. Cleaning, flushing or soaking wounds on the surface of the skin; 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(C)
4. Using wound coverings such as bandages, Band-Aids™, gauze pads, etc.; or using butterfly bandages or Steri-Strips™ (other wound closing devices such as sutures, staples, etc., are considered medical treatment); 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(D)
5. Using hot or cold therapy; 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(E)
6. Using any non-rigid means of support, such as elastic bandages, wraps, non-rigid back belts, etc. (devices with rigid stays or other systems designed to immobilize parts of the body are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes); 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(F)
7. Using temporary immobilization devices while transporting an accident victim (e.g., splints, slings, neck collars, back boards, etc.). 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(G)
8. Drilling of a fingernail or toenail to relieve pressure, or draining fluid from a blister; 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(H)
9. Using eye patches; 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(I)
10. Removing foreign bodies from the eye using only irrigation or a cotton swab; 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(J)
11. Removing splinters or foreign material from areas other than the eye by irrigation, tweezers, cotton swabs or other simple means; 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(K)
12. Using finger guards; 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(L)
13. Using massages (physical therapy or chiropractic treatment are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes); or 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(M)
14. Drinking fluids for relief of heat stress. 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(N)

See also: first aid scenarios · reporting a fatality or severe injury · ask a question