Is It Recordable?
Scenario Q27

Injured While Shaving at Work: is it recordable?

Verdict: Not recordable
Published 2020-03-28

Question

An employee must shave his face for a respirator fit test at work. He is provided a brand new, pre-packaged razor and shaving cream, and completes a shave of his face. The employee ends up suffering from razor burn on his neck, which leads to a mild infection that a doctor prescribes antibiotic treatment for. Is it recordable?

Answer

NO. Even though infection was the result of a work related task for respirator fit testing, OSHA does not require injuries or illnesses that result from “personal grooming” to be recordable. Shaving is personal grooming.
1904.5(b)(2) 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.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1904/1904.5

Illustration for the scenario: Injured While Shaving at Work
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This is guidance based on 29 CFR Part 1904 and OSHA letters of interpretation. Facts and details may be altered or fictional. As specified by OSHA, the employer is responsible for the final recordability determination.