First Aid Versus Medical Treatment

For general industries and construction, if the incident required only the following types of treatment, consider it first aid. The biggest difference between medical treatment and first aid is that first aid does not have to be reported using an OSHA Form 300. Do NOT record the case if it involves only:

• Using over-the-counter medications as directed by the manufacturer
• Administering tetanus shots
• Cleaning, flushing, or soaking surface wounds
• Using wound coverings, such as bandages, gauze pads, and butterfly bandages
• Using hot or cold therapy
• Using any totally non-rigid means of support, such as elastic bandages, wraps, and non-rigid back belts
• Using temporary immobilization devices while transporting an accident victim (splints, slings, neck collars, or back boards)
• Drilling a fingernail or toenail to relieve pressure
• Draining fluids from blisters
• Using eye patches
• Using eye drops, and eye flush, or a cotton swab to remove foreign bodies not embedded in or stuck to the eye
• Using water, tweezers, cotton swabs or other simple means to remove foreign material, such as a splinter, from areas other than the eye
• Using finger guards
• Using massages
• Drinking fluids to relieve heat stress or fatigue

Any kind of treatment conducted in a medical office must be reported EXCEPT when the visit is solely for observation, counseling, or diagnostic purposes. Reporting is not required for any procedure that qualifies as first aid either.

MSHA's regulations are more specific than OSHA regulations. Knowing the differences is vital for accurate reporting of accidents and emergencies. Form 7000-1 must be used to report injuries to MSHA. The following designates how treatment for specific ailments differs between first aid and medical treatment.

To learn more about Workplace First Aid visit our Workplace First Aid Online Training web page.