Understanding OSHA Guidelines: Which Musculoskeletal Treatments Are Recordable?

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, private sector employers witnessed 976,090 musculoskeletal issues in employees during 2021-22, which involved days away from work, job restrictions, or transfer (DART). From muscle strain and back pain to carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, these disorders can be of many kinds and need prompt treatment to ensure worker health and productivity as well as business continuity. However, it is crucial to know which musculoskeletal treatments are recordable and which ones don’t need recording as per Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. It can help you avoid unnecessary penalties and protect your business’s reputation.  

This guide breaks down which musculoskeletal treatments require recording and which do not.

What are the OSHA Guidelines on Musculoskeletal Treatments? 

Musculoskeletal injuries affect bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints. Common risk factors include repetitive motions, poor ergonomics, heavy lifting, and overexertion. However, whether an MSD treatment is OSHA recordable depends on the level of medical intervention required.

1. First Aid (Non-Recordable)

The incident doesn’t need recording if musculoskeletal pain or strain treatment is done using first aid, like bandages, cold or hot therapy, and non-prescription medicines. However, suppose first aid is repeatedly administered (to the same worker with the same problem) within four weeks. In that case, it might indicate an intentionally unreported musculoskeletal injury and invite investigation from OSHA. 

Also note that first aid treatments are those listed in 29 CFR 1904.7(b)(5)(ii). Any treatment method not mentioned in it usually requires recording. Moreover, as far as the listed treatments are concerned, as per OSHA guidelines, it doesn’t matter who administers them.   

2. Active Release Techniques (ART) & Soft Tissue Therapy

When it comes to musculoskeletal strain treatment, the ART massage technique is widely used in most heavy industries. It acts on muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and fascia. Also, ART is considered first aid (irrespective of the professional status of the individual administering it) and non-recordable as long as it is restricted to massage soft tissues. However, chiropractors or physical therapists usually perform ART massages. 

However, if ART involves manipulation of the skeletal system or goes beyond conventional soft tissue massages, it is considered a medical treatment and recordable. It might need recording if ART treatment is administered repeatedly for the same musculoskeletal issue for an extended period. Additionally, as per OSHA guidelines, ART practitioners cannot offer advice or suggestions regarding the work restrictions of the injured employee.   

3. Exercise and Stretching 

If an injury requires musculoskeletal treatments like stretching and exercises, it is deemed as recordable. However, note that exercise and stretching are considered medical interventions by OSHA only when explicitly recommended as a treatment for a workplace musculoskeletal injury. The professional status of the individual recommending the same does not matter in this case. 

Stretching routines and exercises that are part of general wellness programs (meaning participating employees are not suffering from musculoskeletal conditions) are not considered medical treatments. Hence, they don’t require recording. 

Do You Have to Follow OSHA Guidelines on Musculoskeletal Treatments? 

You must strictly follow the OSHA guidelines detailed above to ensure you record injury incidents accurately. It will help you in two key ways: 

• You won’t end up recording incidents that don’t require it and attract penalties unnecessarily 
• By recording recordable incidents, you will maintain the transparency and accountability required by OSHA    

Also, remember that health officials might interview injured employees to understand the nature of the injury and the type of treatment they received. Hence, everyone should be on the same page. 

Apart from that, when you follow the rules, your employees will trust you, their job satisfaction and engagement will improve, and you will retain and attract the best workers. Moreover, in case of non-recordable injuries that only need first aid (including soft tissue ART massage), you will save on healthcare costs and emergency room (ER) visits. Fewer days away from work also mean fewer business interruptions. 

Do Hospitals Have to Follow OSHA Guidelines? 

Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and healthcare practitioners must maintain records of any patient with a musculoskeletal injury for treatment. They must make detailed notes of the worker’s condition and the type of treatment administered. This is because OSHA officials can interview healthcare professionals on the same if they feel they need more information about an incident or want to make sure it deserves to be recorded.     

Keep OSHA Recordables Low with Early Injury Intervention 

As a heavy-industry employer, keeping the OSHA recordable rate as low as possible is a priority since your employees are most likely to work in high-risk environments and use dangerous tools and machines regularly. The good news is that administering first aid on time can address common musculoskeletal injuries effectively. 

For that, joining hands with a reputed doctor-led triage service provider is ideal. No matter when an incident occurs, you can contact a licensed MD experienced in various occupational health problems so that injured workers get prompt medical attention. The doctor can assess the injury via a telephone or video call and suggest the best treatment or plan of action. 

Such triage service providers ensure early injury intervention by offering specialized kits and massage therapies in line with OSHA guidelines so you can avoid ER visits and record them unless necessary. 

Also Read: How Safety Protocols Improve Employee Productivity and Health

Conclusion 

So, by now, you know the difference between OSHA-recordable injuries and non-recordable ones based on the musculoskeletal treatments administered. While first aid and ART (involving soft tissues only) treatments don’t require recording, exercise, stretching, and anything outside the 29 CFR 1904.7(b)(5)(ii) list are medical interventions and recordable. And following OSHA guidelines closely will help you avoid needless investigations and penalties.   

Also, to minimize recordable incidents, medical case management services are the right option. This way, no matter how simple or complex the musculoskeletal injury is, an experienced and knowledgeable doctor will assess the situation immediately, diagnose correctly, offer a tailored treatment plan, and monitor the recovery process carefully. 

Ensure OSHA Compliance in Musculoskeletal Treatments with WorkPartners 

At WorkPartners, we clearly understand which musculoskeletal treatments are recordable as per OSHA and which aren’t. And we also know that most workplace injuries involving the musculoskeletal system can be treated with first aid. So, to help you keep recordable low in compliance with OSHA, we offer customized first aid kits packed with all the essentials required in an emergency. In partnership with Athletico, we also provide hands-on massage therapies deemed first aid and non-recordable. 

Contact us today or call at (800) 359-502. You can also mail your questions to info@workpartnersusa.com.