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Tetanus shots and hernias on injury logs

Summary An employer asked whether tetanus-diphtheria shots counted as medical treatment and how to assess hernias. OSHA treated the described single-dose shot as first aid and said work relationship for hernias depended on whether work caused, contributed to or aggravated the condition. OSHA labels the letter an archive document.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1995-03-16
Date issued
March 16, 1995
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1904 Recordkeeping First Aid
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

March 16, 1995

Mr. Ronnie Powell
Union Carbide Corporation
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Powell:

Thank you for your letter dated February 27, requesting interpretations on two OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping issues.

Issue 1: As stated in your letter, tetanus or tetanus booster shots are not considered medical treatment for OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping purposes. Furthermore, a single dose of prescription medication on first visit to medical personnel for a minor injury or discomfort is considered first aid. If the diphtheria portion of the tetanus/diphtheria shot is administered as a single dose, the shot should be considered first aid.

Issue 2: When evaluating hernias for work relationship, all types of hernias should be evaluated using the same criteria. If the hernia arises on the employer's premises, work relationship is presumed. If an event or exposure within the work environment either caused or contributed to the condition, or aggravated a preexisting condition, it is considered work related for OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping purposes.

I hope you find this information useful. If you have any further questions, please contact us at Area Code (202) 219-6463.

Sincerely,
Bob Whitmore
Chief
Division of Recordkeeping Requirements

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