Q101 - Mental Illness

Question: 

An employee begins having panic attacks and extreme anxiety at work. He visits a psychiatrist and is provided prescription anti-anxiety medication. Is it recordable?

Answer:

NO. A mental illness that surfaces at work is not considered work-related unless the employee voluntarily provides an opinion from a physician or other licensed health care professional with appropriate training and experience (psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, etc.) stating that the employee has a mental illness that is work-related.

1904.5(b)(2)(ix): You are not required to record injuries and illnesses if the illness is a mental illness. Mental illness will not be considered work-related unless the employee voluntarily provides the employer with an opinion from a physician or other licensed health care professional with appropriate training and experience (psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, etc.) stating that the employee has a mental illness that is work-related.

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