Clarification on work-related during travel

USA

I have a scenario i need help determining if this is work-related injury or not for recordability purposes with OSHA. I've done some research and I think I know the answer, but I want a second (or 3rd, or 4th...) opinion.

An employee is traveling for a business conference, arrives at the airport. While waiting for his flight, he decides to shop for a purse for his spouse at an airport store. While browsing, he trips over a display and injures his ankle. resulting in lost time.​

Is this work-related and as such recordable?

My thought is no this is not recordable. I believe that since the employee detoured from the reasonably direct route AND was engaged in an activity for personal reasons the injury would not be considered work-related as this would be considered under the "taken a detour for personal reasons" exception.

The concern I have is that, the detour is only into a store, so not completely unreasonable, but also the activity should be considered (in my mind at least) not in the interest of the employer thus would be considered personal. The examples in the preamble to the final rule and in the standard interpretation though seem like much larger detours, like to go sight seeing or visit family etc.

what are your thoughts any why?

Posted Mar 12, 2025, 8:07 PM UTC

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