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Recordkeeping when a worker has a one-day restriction

Summary An employer asked how older OSHA log rules treated a restriction lasting only the day of injury, followed by a doctor's clearance. OSHA said a case with a work restriction on the injury day must be recorded as a case without lost workdays, but a full-duty clearance the next day meant no later restricted-workday count. It stressed decisions based on what actually occurred; OSHA now archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1996-10-07
Date issued
October 7, 1996
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Restricted Work
Source
View the official document

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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

October 7, 1996

Wanda Padgett
Westinghouse
Savannah River Company
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Ms. Padgett:

Thank you for your facsimile dated September 18, requesting and interpretation regarding conflicting medical opinions and determination of the recordability of a case. Cases involving restricted work activity where the employee is restricted on the day of the injury or illness only must be recorded as a case without lost workdays (column 6 or 13) regardless of whether the case is recordable for any other reason (see Q&A C-2, page 52 of the Recordkeeping Guidelines). Decisions made for OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping purposes are not based on hindsight, but must be based on what actually occurred. If the plant physician examines an employee the day after the injury or illness and determines that the employee can work at full capacity, the case should not be considered a lost workday case involving days of restricted work activity. 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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