When determining whether to record a case on the OSHA 200 log, noting that the recordkeeping guidelines classify injuries and illnesses differently is important. An occupational injury is an injury such as a cut, puncture wound, fracture, sprain or strain, which results from a work accident or from an exposure involving a single incident in the work environment. Injuries are always the result of instantaneous events. An occupational illness is any abnormal condition or disorder, other than one resulting from an occupational injury, caused by exposure to environmental factors associated with employment . An example is tuberculosis.
Illnesses are always the result of exposures over time.
All occupational deaths and nonfatal illnesses are recordable.