California employers are required to complete OSHA 300 Logs and post the OSHA 300A Annual Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses each year. Understanding these requirements — and meeting the annual posting timeline — is an important part of workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
Failure to properly maintain or post OSHA records can result in citations, penalties, and increased exposure during Cal/OSHA inspections. Below is a breakdown of what employers need to know.
What Are OSHA Form 300 and Form 300A?
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OSHA Form 300 is used to log work-related injuries and illnesses throughout the year.
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OSHA Form 300A is a summary of the information recorded on Form 300 and must be posted annually, even if no recordable injuries or illnesses occurred.
The 300A Summary provides employees with a clear snapshot of workplace safety and injury trends.
Posting Period: February 1 Through April 30
California employers are required to post the OSHA 300A Annual Summary from February 1 through April 30 each year.
Key requirements include:
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The summary must be posted in a visible and easily accessible location at each worksite
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A separate 300A Summary is required for each establishment or physical location expected to be in operation for one year or longer
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Employers must post the summary even if no workplace injuries or illnesses occurred
Employers should ensure all injury and illness information from the OSHA 300 Log is finalized before February 1, so the summary is ready to be posted on time.
What Injuries and Illnesses Must Be Recorded?
Work-related injuries and illnesses must be recorded on the OSHA 300 Log if they result in:
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Death
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Days away from work
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Restricted work or job transfer
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Medical treatment beyond first aid
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Loss of consciousness
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A significant injury or illness diagnosed by a physician or other licensed healthcare professional
The definitions and requirements for recordable injuries and illnesses are outlined in the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Sections 14300–14300.48.
Helpful Tip: Log Injuries Within 7 Days
Cal/OSHA requires employers to record work-related injuries and illnesses within seven (7) days of the occurrence — or when the employer becomes aware of the incident.
Keeping logs current throughout the year helps ensure accuracy and makes completing the 300A Summary much easier when the posting period begins.
Who Must Complete OSHA 300 Logs?
All employers covered by the California Occupational Safety and Health Act must complete OSHA 300 Logs and post the 300A Summary each year unless they are exempt.
Possible Exemptions Include:
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Employers with 10 or fewer employees
Cal/OSHA small employer exemption -
Employers in certain low-risk industries
Cal/OSHA industry exemption list
Employers should review exemption criteria carefully to confirm whether they qualify.
Electronic Submission Requirements
In addition to posting requirements, some employers must also submit OSHA injury and illness records electronically to Cal/OSHA.
Electronic submission requirements apply to:
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Employers with 250 or more employees
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Designated industries with 20–250 employees
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Designated industries with 100 or more employees
Employers can find more information on the Cal/OSHA electronic submission of injury and illness records.
Need Assistance with OSHA Recordkeeping?
OSHA recordkeeping requirements can be complex — especially for employers with multiple locations or changing workforce sizes. Our Risk & Claims (RAC) team is here to help.
