How do you differentiate between an amputation without bone and avulsions?
If and when a healthcare professional's diagnosis is available, the employer should rely on that diagnosis.
The event does not need to be reported if the diagnosis is avulsion.
If the diagnosis is amputation, the event must be reported.
If a diagnosis is not available by a healthcare professional, the employer should rely on the definition and examples of amputation included in the regulatory text of section 1904.39.
Examples of avulsion that do NOT need to be reported include
- deglovings,
- scalpings,
- fingernail and toenail avulsions,
- eyelid avulsions,
- tooth avulsions, and
- severed ears
Remember, employers are required to report amputations to OSHA when they learn that the reportable event occurred. The employer must report the event when he or she has information that the injury is a work-related amputation.
