What is the purpose of OSHA Form 300?

The purpose of OSHA Form 300 is to serve as an injury and illness log for employers to record specific information about work-related injuries and illnesses that occur within the workplace. This form is essential for tracking incidents that meet the recording criteria outlined by OSHA, which include fatalities, certain illnesses, and injuries that result in lost workdays, restricted work, or the need for medical treatment beyond first aid.

Using this form allows employers to maintain accurate records of workplace health and safety issues, which can be crucial for identifying trends, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and developing strategies for improving workplace safety. The data collected in the Form 300 can also play a vital role in reporting to OSHA and can be used in safety training and program development.

The other options, while related to workplace safety, do not accurately define the specific purpose of OSHA Form 300. Summarizing industrial safety violations or reporting safety audits serve different functions in workplace safety management, and risk analysis involves other documents and processes that assess the likelihood and impact of hazards, rather than just recording incidents.