First Aid vs. Medical Treatment

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Chapter 7. Division of Labor Statistics and Research.

Subchapter 1. Occupational Injury and Illness Reports and Records

Article 2. Employer Records of Occupational Injury or Illness

If a work-related injury results in “Medical Treatment” beyond first aid, employers MUST record it to California State/OSHA.

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What is the definition of "Medical Treatment"?

“Medical Treatment” means the management and care of a patient to combat disease or disorder.

 

What is “first aid”?

• Using non-prescription medications at nonprescription strength

• Administering tetanus immunizations

• Cleaning, flushing, or soaking wounds on the skin surface

• Using wound coverings, such as bandages, Band-Aids, gauze pads, etc., or using steristrips or butterfly bandages (Other wound closing devices such as sutures, staples, etc are considered medical treatment)

• Using hot and cold therapy

• Using any totally non-rigid means of support, such as elastic bandages, wraps, non-rigid back belts, etc (devices with rigid stays and other systems designed to immobilize parts of the body are considered medical treatment)

• Using temporary immobilization devices while transporting an incident victim (splints, slings, neck collars or back boards)

• Drilling a fingernail or toenail to relieve pressure, or draining fluids from blisters

• Using eye patches

• Using simple irrigation or a cotton swab to remove foreign bodies not embedded in or adhered to the eye.

• Using irrigation, tweezers, cotton swab or other simple means to remove splinters or foreign material from areas other than the eye

• Using finger guards

• Using massages (Physical therapy or chiropractic treatment care is considered medical treatment)

• Drinking fluids to relieve heat stress

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The administration of a tetanus or booster shot, BY ITSELF, is not considered medical treatment. However, injuries requiring tetanus shot may be recordable for other reasons.

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Are any other procedures included in first aid?

No; this is a complete list of all treatments considered first aid purposes of Article 2.

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More Info

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