Contractor License Practice Exam

How long must OSHA records be kept by employers after the year they pertain to?

1. 3 years

2. 5 years

3. 7 years

4. 10 years

The correct answer is: 5 years

Employers are required to keep OSHA records for a period of five years following the completion of the year to which the records pertain. This duration is established to ensure that there is adequate documentation available for inspection and compliance verification, especially in cases of workplace accidents or health-related incidents. Maintaining these records supports the establishment of a safe working environment and provides necessary data for both employees and regulatory bodies. While other durations might apply to different types of records in various contexts, OSHA specifically mandates this five-year retention period to facilitate ongoing safety assessments and compliance checks.