Reporting to LMCIT vs. OSHA: What’s the Difference?

Guest blog by Olivia Bontems, loss control consultant

When a workplace injury occurs, city staff have several reporting responsibilities that can easily be confusing. Reporting an incident to the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT), maintaining OSHA injury and illness records, and notifying Minnesota OSHA in certain cases all serve different purposes and follow different requirements. The following guidance will help you understand those differences and ensure your city responds appropriately when an incident occurs.

Reporting incidents to LMCIT

LMCIT encourages members to report all work-related injuries as soon as possible, even if they appear minor. Early reporting allows claims staff to promptly assist with medical management, answer questions, and help facilitate a timely return to work when appropriate.

We also encourage members to report near misses and incidents that could become claims. While these events may not result in an immediate injury, documenting them early preserves important information and provides an opportunity to identify hazards before someone is seriously injured.

OSHA recordkeeping is a separate requirement

Reporting an incident to LMCIT does not automatically mean it must be recorded on your OSHA 300 Log.

OSHA has its own criteria for determining whether an injury or illness is recordable. For example, cases involving days away from work, restricted duty, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness are often recordable. Because OSHA and workers’ compensation have different purposes, an incident may need to be reported to LMCIT but not recorded on the OSHA log or vice versa.

Some incidents must also be reported to Minnesota OSHA

In addition to recordkeeping, certain serious workplace incidents must be reported directly to Minnesota OSHA:

• A work-related fatality within eight hours
• A work-related inpatient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye within 24 hours

These reporting requirements are separate from both reporting an incident to LMCIT and maintaining OSHA injury and illness records. More information about reporting these types of incidents can be found on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website.

Free OSHA recordkeeping training

Need a refresher on OSHA recordkeeping requirements? The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry offers free introductory online training covering topics such as:

• Determining whether an injury or illness is OSHA recordable
• Differences between OSHA recordkeeping and workers’ compensation
• Classifying cases and counting days away from work
• Privacy cases
• Maintaining OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301
• Reporting injury and illness data to OSHA

Join an upcoming, online session:

• Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 | 8:30-11:30 a.m.
• Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 | 8:30-11:30 a.m.

The training is offered virtually through Microsoft Teams at no cost, but advance registration is required. More information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website.

If you have questions about submitting claims or recordkeeping requirements, contact your LMCIT loss control consultant. We’re happy to help you!