OSHA Logs and Other Accident-Related Information

OSHA LOGS AND OTHER ACCIDENT-RELATED INFORMATION 

It is best to rely on accident records that are fresh and that can be personally verified. The older the accident occurrence is, the more likely it is that the recollection of anyone involved has been dulled. Also, it is less likely that all of the information is still intact or in the file. If other litigation surrounded an accident occurrence, do not be surprised that someone lifted out certain file information for some useful purpose but failed to bring it back. The older the case is, the less likely it is that available information will be complete and accurate. 

Current trends are important but can be misleading. If you try to look at the present or very near past, you can become overconfident because of a lucky streak of no accidents or possibly late reporting. This overconfidence can results in statements like Gee, we haven t had an accident in over a month now. Our safety program must have really kicked in  

This may be the case, and I hope the person making a statement like this turns out to be correct. Not having an accident in a month may be a great milestone for some companies. For other companies, one 

I have had numerous close associates who get overly excited about a milestone and begin to claim complete victory. These same people seem to get a bit too discouraged when multiple accident occurrences get reported over a short period. Hopefully, the multiple accident occurrences are more of a blip or anomaly or are more coincidental than due to a worsening culture. 

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