Is It Recordable?
Scenario Q63

Company Ski Trip: is it recordable?

Verdict: Recordable
Published 2020-07-10

Question

On a business trip, a company approves a day of snow skiing as company entertainment while in the mountains. The employees on the trip treat some customers to a day of snow skiing. On the second run of the day, an employee and a customer collide, resulting in a fractured wrist for the employee. Is it recordable?

Answer

YES. The ski trip was approved as company entertainment and was conducted with company business in mind. The fractured wrist meets OSHA recordable criteria.
1904.5(b)(6)
How do I decide whether an injury or illness is work-related if the employee is on travel status at the time the injury or illness occurs? Injuries and illnesses that occur while an employee is on travel status are work-related if, at the time of the injury or illness, the employee was engaged in work activities "in the interest of the employer." Examples of such activities include travel to and from customer contacts, conducting job tasks, and entertaining or being entertained to transact, discuss, or promote business (work-related entertainment includes only entertainment activities being engaged in at the direction of the employer).
1904.7(b)(7)
What is a "significant" diagnosed injury or illness that is recordable under the general criteria 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? Work-related cases involving cancer, chronic irreversible disease, a fractured or cracked bone, or a punctured eardrum must always be recorded under the general criteria at the time of diagnosis by a physician or other licensed health care professional.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/interlinking/standards/1904.5(b)(6)

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/interlinking/standards/1904.7(b)(7)

Illustration for the scenario: Company Ski Trip

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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.