Is a Work-Related Tuberculosis Infection Recordable on the OSHA 300 Log?

Yes. Under 29 CFR 1904.11, if an employee is occupationally exposed to someone with a known case of active tuberculosis and later develops a TB infection, shown by a positive skin test or a diagnosis by a physician or other licensed health care professional, the employer records the case on the OSHA 300 Log as a respiratory condition.

Basic rule. 29 CFR 1904.11(a) requires recording when both conditions are met:

• The employee was occupationally exposed to anyone with a known case of active TB.
• The employee subsequently develops a TB infection, evidenced by a positive skin test or diagnosis by a physician or other licensed health care professional.

The case is entered by checking the "respiratory condition" column.

Preplacement tests. A positive TB skin test obtained at a pre-employment physical is not recorded, because the employee was not occupationally exposed to a known case of active TB in the workplace (1904.11(b)(1)).

Removing a case. The employer may line out or erase a recorded case if (1904.11(b)(2)):

• The worker lives in a household with a person diagnosed with active TB.
• The public health department has identified the worker as a contact of a non-work case of active TB.
• A medical investigation shows the infection came from exposure away from work or was not related to the workplace exposure.

Contrast with colds and flu. OSHA's work-relatedness rules exclude the common cold and flu, but note that contagious diseases such as tuberculosis are considered work-related if the employee is infected at work (29 CFR 1904.5(b)(2)(viii)).

Who keeps logs. Employers with 10 or fewer employees at all times during the last calendar year, and partially exempt industries, generally do not keep OSHA logs unless asked in writing by OSHA or BLS (29 CFR 1904.1 and 1904.2).

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