[Real Life HR] Do I need to post an OSHA Log?

Q: Do I need to post an OSHA Log? If so, when?

A: Yes—but with an important distinction.

Federal OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires employers to post only the OSHA Form 300-A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) each year. You do not post the full OSHA Form 300 Log.

Here’s the difference:

• OSHA Form 300 Log: Used to record work-related injuries and illnesses throughout the year. This log contains individual case details and should be kept on file—not posted publicly.
• OSHA Form 300-A Summary: An annual summary derived from the Form 300 Log. This is the form that must be posted for employees to review.

Posting timeline:
The OSHA Form 300-A Summary must be posted February 1 through April 30 each year and reflects injury and illness data from the previous calendar year.

This requirement applies even if your business had zero recordable cases.

Certification requirement:
The 300-A Summary must be signed by a company executive, defined as one of the following:

1. Owner
2. Officer of the corporation
3. Highest-ranking official at the establishment
4. Immediate supervisor of the highest-ranking official at the establishment

Where and how to post:

• Post the summary in a conspicuous location where employee notices are typically displayed (e.g., break room or bulletin board).
• The form must remain unaltered and visible for the entire posting period.
• Electronic submission to OSHA is separate from posting—physical posting is still required, even if forms are submitted electronically.

Record retention:
OSHA Forms 300, 300-A, and 301 must be retained for five (5) years following the year they cover.

Are there any exemptions?
Some establishments may be partially exempt from OSHA’s routine injury and illness recordkeeping requirements if either of the following applies:

• The employer had 10 or fewer employees at all times during the previous calendar year (regardless of industry), or
• The establishment’s primary business activity is classified by OSHA as a low-hazard industry under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

It’s important to note: these exemptions apply only to routine recordkeeping (Forms 300, 300-A, and 301).

All employers—including exempt ones—must still:

• Report work-related fatalities
• Report certain severe injuries (in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye)
• Provide records to OSHA if specifically requested

OSHA maintains a list of exempt low-hazard industries organized by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, which employers should review carefully to confirm eligibility.

Failure to properly post the OSHA Form 300-A Summary can result in OSHA citations, so it’s important to review your posting requirements each year.

Official OSHA guidance can be found at: https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping

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This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law.