1910.1030(h)(5): Sharps Injury Log Requirements
Employers who must keep an OSHA injury and illness log under 29 CFR part 1904 must also keep a sharps injury log for needlesticks and other skin-piercing injuries from contaminated sharps, protecting the injured worker's privacy. Each entry must list at least the device type and brand, the department or work area, and how it happened, and the log is kept for the period in 1904.33.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(h)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 91 times in the last 3 years, in 86 inspections, with $59,035 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OR (23), PR (10), NV (9).
- Related part: 1910.1030(h) Recordkeeping (481 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1030(h)(5) ("Sharps injury log") is one requirement inside 1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 6 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(5) Sharps injury log. 91 citations
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain a sharps injury log for the recording of percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps. The information in the sharps injury log shall be recorded and maintained in such manner as to protect the confidentiality of the injured employee. The sharps injury log shall contain, at a minimum: Open (h)(5)(i) 87 citations
(A) The type and brand of device involved in the incident, Open (h)(5)(i)(a) 11 citations
(B) The department or work area where the exposure incident occurred, and 4 citations
(C) An explanation of how the incident occurred. Open (h)(5)(i)(c) 4 citations
(ii) The requirement to establish and maintain a sharps injury log shall apply to any employer who is required to maintain a log of occupational injuries and illnesses under 29 CFR part 1904.
(iii) The sharps injury log shall be maintained for the period required by 29 CFR 1904.33.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1030.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2026 | 30 |
Top states: OR (23), PR (10), NV (9), NC (6), NY (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE WILLIAM W. BACKUS HOSPITAL | NORWICH, CT | $11,350 |
| NEXUS AT ALTON LLC DBA BRIA OF ALTON LLC | ALTON, IL | $8,442 |
| ADVENTIST HEALTH CASTLE | KAILUA, HI | $8,228 |
| ALASKA REGIONAL HOSPITAL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $8,066 |
| 155156 - DEPLOYED SERVICES, LLC | GREENSBORO, NC | $8,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1030(h)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Employer's obligation to assure the accuracy of the sharps injury log. (2006-01-12)
- Sharps injury logs are intended to track departments, devices, and/or procedures causing injuries, not injured employees. (2002-12-03)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1030(h) Recordkeeping 481 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2) Training Records 199 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(1) Medical Records 182 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(1)(ii) 164 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(1)(ii)(B) 158 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2)(i) 154 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(5)(i) 87 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2)(i)(C) 49 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2)(ii) 44 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2)(i)(D) 32 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2)(i)(B) 18 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(1)(i) 13 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who must keep a sharps injury log?
Any employer required to maintain a log of occupational injuries and illnesses under 29 CFR part 1904.
What must each entry include?
At minimum the type and brand of device, the department or work area, and an explanation of how the incident occurred.
How long is the log kept?
For the period required by 29 CFR 1904.33.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.