SMU maintains an exempt status for Title V CAAA Compliance.

Medical Treatment vs. First-Aid Treatment

Effective -- March 1997
Revised -- March 2000

Medical Treatment

The following procedures are generally considered medical treatment. Injuries for which this type of treatment was provided or should have been provided are almost always classified as an OSHA-recordable if the injury is work-related:

• Treatment of infection
• Application of antiseptics during second or subsequent visit to medical personnel
• Treatment of second or third degree burn(s)
• Application of sutures (stitches)
• Application of butterfly adhesive dressings(s) or steri-strip(s) in lieu of sutures
• Removal of foreign bodies embedded in eye
• Removal of foreign bodies from wound; if procedure is complicated because of depth of embedment, size, or location
• Use of prescription medications (except a single dose administered on first visit for minor injury or discomfort)
• Use of hot or cold soaking therapy during second or subsequent visit to medical personnel
• Application of hot or cold compress(es) during second or subsequent visit to medical personnel
• Cutting away dead skin (surgical debridement)
• Application of heat therapy during second or subsequent visit to medical personnel
• Use of whirlpool bath therapy during second or subsequent visit to medical personnel
• Positive x-ray diagnosis (fractures, broken bones, etc.)
• Admission to a hospital or equivalent medical facility for treatment

First-Aid Treatment

The following procedures are generally considered first-aid treatment (e.g., one-time treatment and subsequent observation of minor injuries) and should not be classified as an OSHA-recordable if the work-related injury does not involve loss of consciousness, restriction of work or motion, or transfer to another job:

• Application of antiseptics during first visit to medical personnel
• Treatment of first degree burn(s)
• Application of bandage(s) during any visit to medical personnel
• Use of elastic bandage(s) during first visit to medical personnel
• Removal of foreign bodies not embedded in eye if only irrigation is required
• Removal of foreign bodies from wound; if procedure is uncomplicated, and is, for example by tweezers or other simple technique
• Use of nonprescription medications and administration of single dose of prescription medication on first visit for minor injury or discomfort
• Soaking therapy on initial visit to personnel or removal of bandages by soaking
• Application of hot or cold compress(es) during first visit to medical personnel
• Application of ointments to abrasions to prevent drying or cracking
• Application of heat therapy during first visit to medical personnel
• Negative x-ray diagnosis
• Observation of injury during visit to medical personnel

The following procedure, by itself, is not considered medical treatment:

• Administration of tetanus shot(s) or booster(s)

However, these shots are often given in conjunction with more serious injuries; consequently, injuries requiring these shots may be recordable for other reasons.

Source -- Recordkeeping Guidelines for Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 1986, The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and 29 CFR 1904, O.M.B No. 1220-0029, Effective April 1986