Are adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine recordable on the OSHA recordkeeping log?

OSHA encourages COVID-19 vaccinations, so the agency does not wish to have any appearance of discouraging workers from receiving COVID-19 vaccination. The agency also does not wish to disincentivize employers’ vaccination efforts. Therefore, in June 2024, OSHA said that it will not enforce 29 CFR 1904’s recording provisions that require employers to record worker side effects from COVID-19 vaccination. This discretionary enforcement approach is now permanent until a change is made to this course of action.

Unless the individuals conducting the inspection have a well-rounded background in the safety field, they may need specific training or education pertinent to regulatory compliance, as well as the areas, equipment, or processes to be inspected. Knowledge of the tasks being performed, accident history of the work area, specialized equipment used, etc. will enable the inspector to focus on potential problem areas. This will allow them to adequately identify unsafe conditions or procedures they may not have otherwise noticed.