A worker had wrist pain and purchased/used a rigid wrist brace. He went to a clinic. The doctor said the brace was not needed, but if he felt pain relief using the brace, he should continue using it. Is this medical treatment beyond first aid?

Yes. OSHA’s regulation at Section 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(F) provides that orthopedic devices with rigid stays or other systems designed to immobilize parts of the body are considered medical treatment beyond first aid. Generally, OSHA does not consider self-treatment or self-medication by the employee to constitute medical treatment beyond first aid. The treatment must be directed or recommended by the employer or a health care professional. In this case, however, a physician recommended to the employee to use the rigid brace for pain relief. Once this recommendation was made, the case involved medical treatment beyond first aid, and the work-related injury must be recorded.