Georgia State Board of Funeral Service Practice Exam

According to OSHA regulations, how long must injury and illness records be retained?

1. Five Years

2. Ten Years

3. 30 Years

4. Indefinitely

The correct answer is: 30 Years

Under OSHA regulations, injury and illness records must be retained for a minimum of five years from the end of the calendar year in which the record was made. However, when it comes to records associated with cases of occupational illnesses or injuries that require a medical examination or result in a fatality, these records should be kept for a longer duration. Specifically, OSHA mandates that certain records, particularly those concerning workplace exposures and related illnesses, must be maintained for 30 years. The rationale behind this extended retention period is to ensure that historical data is available for reference in case of future related health issues or legal claims. Long-term retention allows for comprehensive tracking of workplace safety and health trends, which is essential for the protection of workers and the evaluation of workplace environments over time. This extended time frame also aligns with necessary medical research and public health planning.