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Loss of Consciousness Due to Drug Usage
Question:
A heavy equipment operator is discovered unconscious and with a needle in his arm in the cab of a bulldozer located on a job site. An ambulance rushes the employee to the ER where he is revived and held overnight. The ER doctor determined that the employee suffered a self-inflicted overdose from an illegal drug which caused the loss of consciousness. Is it recordable?
Answer:
NO. A work-related task did not contribute to the employee losing consciousness whether he was sober or not. OSHA does not require employers to record injuries that are self-inflicted or that result from self-medicating.
1904.5(b)(2)(vi) Are there situations where an injury or illness occurs in the work environment and is not considered work-related? Yes, an injury or illness occurring in the work environment that falls under one of the following exceptions is not work-related, and therefore is not recordable.