Final answer:
A special case circumstance that makes an injury or illness recordable in workplace safety is when the injury or illness requires medical treatment beyond first aid, as per OSHA guidelines.
Step-by-step explanation:
In workplace safety, a special case circumstance that makes an injury or illness recordable is A) The injury or illness requires medical treatment beyond first aid. This means that if a situation arises at work where an employee needs medical attention that exceeds simple first aid measures, it should be recorded as per Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. For instance, if an employee sustains a cut that cannot be dealt with by a basic first aid kit and requires stitches, this injury is considered recordable.
Other instances that require reporting involve serious incidents, such as a work-related fatality, inpatient hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye, which must be reported to OSHA within specific timeframes. OSHA's mandate also extends to ensuring workers' rights to safe working conditions, receiving proper safety training in a language they can understand, and being provided with necessary personal protective equipment without cost. Employers must keep accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses and cannot retaliate against workers for exercising their rights under the law, including reporting injuries or illnesses.