Is 500 mg Acetaminophen an OSHA Recordable?

Answer 1

No. It is only OSHA recordable if the Over the Counter (OTC) recommended doseage is exceeded. If the OTC doseage is not exceeded, it is considered first aid.

However if the daily maximum doseage is no more than 2 pills (1000mg) 3 times per day (total of 3000mg), and the physician prescribes the patient to take more than 2 pills at a time or more than 6 pills in a 24 hour period then the recommended OTC doseage is exceeded and it would be considered recordable by OSHA.

Answer 2

Yes.

For medications such as Ibuprofen that are available in both prescription and non-prescription form, what is considered to be prescription strength? How is an employer to determine whether a non-prescription medication has been recommended at prescription strength for purposes of section 1904.7(b)(5)(i)(C)(ii)(A)?

The prescription strength of such medications is determined by the measured quantity of the theraputic agent to be taken at one time, i.e., a single dose. The single dosages that are considered prescription strength for four common over-the-counter drugs are: ibuprofen (such as Advil™) - Greater than 467 mg Diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl™) - Greater than 50 mg Naproxen Sodium (such as Aleve™) - Greater than 220 mg Ketoprofen (such as Orudus KT™) - Greater than 25mg To determine the prescription-strength dosages for other drugs that are available in prescription and non-prescription formulations, the employer should contact OSHA, the United States Food and Drug Administration, their local pharmacist or their physician.