How long must an employee be away from work for an injury to be considered a lost-time injury?

An injury is classified as a lost-time injury when an employee is unable to perform their regular job duties due to that injury, and this encompasses any timeframe that extends beyond their next scheduled shift. This includes situations where an employee may need to take time off, even if it’s just for their next shift, highlighting the impact of the injury on their ability to work. This definition is crucial for recordkeeping and for understanding the implications of injuries in the workplace, as it emphasizes that even a brief absence due to injury can be significant in evaluating workplace safety and employee health.