Workplace injuries are never easy. When something goes wrong on a job site, your first priority is the worker. Right behind that comes paperwork, and that is where many companies get stuck. The OSHA 301 form is one of the most important reports employers must complete after a work related injury or illness.
In this guide, we break down the OSHA 301 form in clear and simple terms. You will learn what it is, who must complete it, how it connects to other OSHA records, and how to stay on track with deadlines. If you manage construction crews, work with temporary labor, or oversee safety programs, this information will help you stay compliant and organized.
The OSHA 301 form is an injury and illness incident report required by OSHA. It records the details of a single workplace injury or illness.
Think of the OSHA 301 form as the full report of what happened. It explains the situation from start to finish, instead of just listing numbers or totals.
The OSHA 301 form includes details such as:
This form helps employers understand what went wrong and how similar incidents can be avoided in the future.
Not every business must keep OSHA injury records. Requirements depend on company size and industry type.
You generally must complete an OSHA 301 form if:
Understanding the distinction between recordable and reportable incidents helps employers identify exactly which workplace injuries require OSHA 301 documentation.
Construction companies and staffing agencies almost always fall under these requirements.
Staffing companies should be especially careful. Even when workers are placed at a client job site, injury reporting responsibilities often fall on the staffing agency, depending on supervision and payroll setup.
OSHA uses three main forms for injury and illness tracking. Each one plays a different role.
|
OSHA Form |
Purpose |
When It Is Used |
|
OSHA 301 |
Incident report |
Completed after each recordable injury or illness |
|
OSHA 300 |
Injury and illness log |
Tracks all recordable incidents during the year |
|
OSHA 300A |
Annual summary |
Posted for employees to review |
Organizations managing multiple safety requirements should review a comprehensive OSHA compliance checklist to maintain organized recordkeeping across all regulatory areas.
The OSHA 301 form supports the OSHA 300 log. Information from the incident report is used to complete the log entry. Without a completed OSHA 301 form, your OSHA 300 log may be missing key details.
Timing matters with OSHA reporting.
Employers must complete the OSHA 301 form within seven calendar days of learning about a recordable injury or illness. This applies even if the incident happened earlier and was reported later.
If new information comes in after the form is completed, updates should be made as soon as possible.
Missing this deadline can lead to compliance problems, especially during an OSHA inspection.
The OSHA 300 reporting deadline refers to several important timelines tied to injury recordkeeping. While the OSHA 301 form has its own deadline, the OSHA 300 log and summary have additional requirements.
Key OSHA 300 reporting deadlines include:
Missing the OSHA 300 reporting deadline can lead to citations and fines. Keeping OSHA 301 forms accurate and up to date makes it much easier to meet these deadlines.
Completing the OSHA 301 form is easier when you take it one section at a time.
Start with basic details about the worker:
Accuracy matters, especially for staffing companies managing multiple placements.
Next, document when and where the incident happened:
Stick to the facts and keep descriptions clear.
This section describes what caused the injury or illness:
Focus on what happened, not opinions or blame.
Include medical and work impact details:
This information determines whether the incident is recordable under OSHA rules.
Review the OSHA 301 form for accuracy. Store it with your OSHA records for at least five years.
Many reporting issues come from small oversights. Here are mistakes to watch for:
Clear processes and quick reporting help prevent these issues.
Staffing companies face unique challenges with injury reporting. Workers may be supervised by the host employer but remain employees of the staffing agency.
In many situations:
Construction companies that partner with staffing agencies gain multiple operational advantages beyond compliance support, including faster crew deployment and reduced administrative workload.
Accurate OSHA 301 reporting shows clients that your staffing company takes safety and compliance seriously.
Staying compliant does not need to be stressful. Consistent habits make a big difference.
Good recordkeeping helps protect your business and your workers.
The OSHA 301 form records details about a specific work related injury or illness. It supports accurate OSHA reporting and safety reviews.
No. The OSHA 301 form is a federal safety record. Workers’ compensation forms are used for insurance and claims.
Employers must keep OSHA 301 forms for five years after the end of the calendar year they cover.
The OSHA 301 form must be completed within seven days. The OSHA 300 reporting deadline applies to log updates, summaries, and electronic submissions.
In many cases, yes. Staffing agencies often handle OSHA 301 reporting when they employ the worker and manage payroll.
Yes. If new details come up, the OSHA 301 form should be updated to reflect accurate information.
Understanding the OSHA 301 form helps employers stay compliant, protect workers, and avoid costly penalties. Clear reporting practices support safer job sites and smoother operations.
If you need dependable, safety focused construction labor or have questions about compliance expectations, contact Tower Eight Staffing for more information.
We support construction projects across Florida with skilled workers who are trained, prepared, and ready to work.
This article was originally published on September 25, 2024 and has been updated on January 2, 2026 to provide the most accurate and relevant information.