OSHA 15 refers to the official OSHA Form 15, the Injury and Illness Incident Report used to log work-related injuries and illnesses. This standardized record helps employers track incidents, analyze trends, and meet federal requirements for workplace safety reporting.
Employers use OSHA 15 to maintain accurate injury and illness logs for OSHA compliance and internal safety improvement. The form captures essential details so organizations can target high-risk areas and implement timely corrective actions.
| Form Name | Purpose | When to Use | Key Fields |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA Form 15 | Record work-related injuries and illnesses | Within 7 workdays of an incident | Employee info, injury details, part of body affected |
| OSHA Form 300 | Log injuries and illnesses by category | Daily entries throughout the year | Case number, incident date, diagnosis |
| OSHA Form 300A | Summarize injuries and illnesses annually | Each February post the summary | Total cases, days away from work, establishment size |
| OSHA Form 15a | Supporting narrative with more detail | As needed to explain complex incidents | Narrative description, circumstances, corrective actions |
OSHA 15 Reporting Requirements
When Employers Must File
OSHA 15 must be completed within seven workdays of receiving information that a recordable injury or illness has occurred. Timely reporting ensures compliance and supports accurate data in OSHA logs.
Recordable Incident Criteria
Not every workplace incident requires an OSHA 15 entry. Recordable cases include those involve death, days away from work, restricted work, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or significant diagnosis.
OSHA 15 and Compliance Obligations
Federal and State Rules
Under OSHA regulations, covered establishments must accurately complete OSHA 15 for each recordable case. States with state plans may have additional requirements, so employers should review local rules.
Electronic Reporting Mandates
Certain employers must submit OSHA 300A data electronically during annual posting periods. While OSHA 15 is not directly submitted online, it supports the detailed information used in these electronic filings.
OSHA 15 in Safety Management
Using Data for Continuous Improvement
Employers analyze completed OSHA 15 forms to identify patterns, such as frequent injury types or high-risk tasks. These insights inform targeted training, equipment upgrades, and procedural changes.
Training and Documentation
Clear documentation begins with proper training. Supervisors should understand how to gather accurate incident details, complete the form consistently, and store records to protect worker privacy.
Key Takeaways for OSHA 15
- Complete OSHA Form 15 within seven workdays for every recordable injury or illness.
- Understand which incidents meet the recordability criteria under OSHA rules.
- Use completed forms to analyze trends and strengthen workplace safety programs.
- Train supervisors to collect accurate details and follow documentation protocols.
- Retain OSHA 15 and related logs to meet compliance and audit requirements.
FAQ
Reader questions
How soon must an employer complete OSHA Form 15 after an incident?
OSHA requires the form to be completed within seven workdays of learning that a recordable injury or illness has occurred.
What happens if a workplace fails to file an OSHA 15 for a recordable case?
Failure to complete and retain OSHA 15 forms can result in enforcement actions, including citations and proposed penalties from OSHA during inspections or audits.
Are temporary or contract workers included on an OSHA 15?
Yes, employers must record injuries and illnesses for all workers, including temporary and contract employees, on the appropriate OSHA logs and forms.
Can an employee request a copy of the OSHA 15 filed for their injury?
Workers or their representatives may request access to OSHA 15 logs and summary data as part of their right to review workplace injury and illness records.