Is It Recordable?
Scenario Q108

Electrocuted in Home Office: is it recordable?

Verdict: Not recordable
Published 2020-12-06

Question

An employee is installing an overhead light fixture in their new home office after being instructed to work from home full time by their employer. Due to faulty wiring, they receive a shock and die. Is it recordable?

Answer

NO. Home wiring or renovations are not considered to be work-related activities and therefore injuries that result from those activities would not be recordable.

Letter of Interpretation: For example, if an employee drops a box of work documents and injures his or her foot, the case is considered work-related. If an employee's fingernail is punctured by a needle from a sewing machine used to perform garment work at home, becomes infected and requires medical treatment, the injury is considered work-related. If an employee is injured because he or she trips on the family dog while rushing to answer a work phone call, the case is not considered work-related. If an employee working at home is electrocuted because of faulty home wiring, the injury is not considered work-related.

Illustration for the scenario: Electrocuted in Home Office

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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.