OSHA Form 300: What You Need to Know

Rules for tracking work-related injuries and illnesses have been on the books since 1971. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires covered businesses, including many portable restroom operators, to log incidents on OSHA Form 300 and related documents. Not all PROs need to submit 300 logs to OSHA, but they must provide them when any current or former workers request them. Let’s dive into OSHA’s recordkeeping rules (29 CFR Part 1904).

What is OSHA Form 300?

OSHA Form 300 logs all work-related injuries and illnesses in a calendar year. It documents every recordable incident, listing the date, employee, severity, and outcome. OSHA Form 301 supplements the 300 log. While 300 logs are high-level overviews of all incidents, a 301 form details a single case, similar to an employee injury report.

In addition to the 300 and 301 forms, employers complete Form 300A annually. It summarizes all incidents from the 300 log. PROs must post 300A in a visible spot where employees check in or gather by February 1st through April 30th, even if there were zero injuries or illnesses.

Do PROs Need to Use and Submit 300 Forms?

Portable restroom businesses, which typically use NAICS Code 562991, are not exempt from OSHA’s Part 1904 rules. Therefore, PROs who employed more than 10 workers at any time during the previous year must use the 300 log. This figure includes full-time, seasonal, temporary, and part-time employees across all locations. You must count all staff if you operate sites at different addresses under the same entity. If you have 10 employees and used a temp for one or two days last year, you must use the 300 log.

Portable restroom companies with 250 or more workers must submit 300A data to Federal OSHA via the electronic injury tracking application (ITA) by March 2nd. Certain states, like Minnesota, may have additional requirements regardless of staff size. Use OSHA’s free tool to see if this applies to you.

How Do PROs Log Work-related Injuries and Illnesses?

You must log incidents within seven calendar days of learning about them. OSHA provides fillable PDF injury and illness recordkeeping forms but lets companies use alternatives if they collect the same information. For example, you can log workplace incidents (Form 300) in a spreadsheet or human resources software. Injury reports, workers’ compensation, or insurance forms may work for Form 301. You must keep separate OSHA 300 logs and 301 reports at each physical business address.

What Is a Form 300 Injury or Illness?

Under Part 1904.7, a recordable injury or illness results in at least one of the following: time off, restricted duties, position transfer, medical diagnosis of significant injury or illness, death, loss of consciousness, or medical treatment beyond first aid. Because of these definitions, an emergency room visit or workers’ compensation case doesn’t always need to be logged.

Let’s say your driver smashes their hand while unloading porta potties. You send them for an X-ray. Nothing’s broken, so the ER gives them an ice pack and acetaminophen and returns them to work — no 300 log. But every time an employee passes out, no matter how briefly, you have to record it. So, push fluids when working in extreme heat.

Turn OSHA 300 Logs Into Valuable Tools

Making OSHA compliance and workplace safety a priority protects your team and business. But, OSHA 300 logs also provide insights that you can’t find anywhere else. Plug data from spreadsheets into AI tools to see where, how, and when incidents occur, and personalize your safety training and accident prevention program.

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