AF Form 190: Occupational Illness/Injury Report Guide 2026 – If you are a U.S. Air Force military member, civilian employee, or supervisor dealing with a work-related injury or illness, AF Form 190 (Occupational Illness/Injury Report) is a critical document in the reporting and documentation process. This official Air Force form helps track occupational health incidents, supports compliance with safety regulations, ensures proper medical follow-up, and contributes to the Air Force Safety Automated System (AFSAS) for trend analysis and prevention.
This guide explains the purpose of AF Form 190, when to use it, who completes it, step-by-step guidance, and how it fits into broader Department of the Air Force (DAF) safety and occupational health programs. The official fillable PDF is available for download directly from Air Force e-Publishing: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_se/form/af190/af190.pdf.
What Is AF Form 190 and Why Is It Important?
AF Form 190, titled Occupational Illness/Injury Report, documents confirmed occupational illnesses and certain injuries in the Air Force. It captures key details such as:
- Employee identification and job information
- Description of symptoms, onset, and exposure
- Medical diagnosis and treatment
- Work-relatedness determination
- Disposition and any duty restrictions
The form is primarily generated or completed within AFSAS (the Air Force Safety Automated System) once an occupational illness is confirmed. It supports:
- OSHA compliance — Air Force installations maintain records that align with OSHA 300 logging requirements for work-related injuries and illnesses.
- Workers’ compensation — Documentation aids Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) claims for civilians.
- Prevention and surveillance — Data feeds into occupational and environmental health (OEH) programs, helping identify workplace hazards like chemical exposures, ergonomic issues, or hazardous noise.
- Medical record integration — The completed form is filed in the patient’s hard-copy or electronic medical record (often alongside SF Form 513, Medical Record – Consultation Sheet).
Note: AF Form 190 is distinct from the AF Form 978 (Supervisor’s Mishap Report), which supervisors use for initial notification of most mishaps. For many cases, the process starts with AF Form 978 or a hazard report, then moves to AFSAS for occupational illness tracking and AF Form 190 generation.
When Is AF Form 190 Used?
Use AF Form 190 (or ensure it is generated in AFSAS) for:
- Confirmed occupational illnesses (e.g., respiratory issues from chemical exposure, hearing loss, skin conditions, or cumulative trauma from repetitive tasks).
- Certain work-related injuries determined to be occupational by medical providers (e.g., ergonomic injuries confirmed as work-related).
- Overexposures (such as electromagnetic field/EMF or hazardous materials) where public health or bioenvironmental engineering (BE) initiates an investigation.
- Cases requiring clinical surveillance or entry into the OSHA 300 log.
Public Health (PH) or Bioenvironmental Engineering personnel typically manage the investigation in AFSAS. The form must be completed and closed within timelines outlined in DAFI 91-204 (Safety Investigations and Reports) and DAFI 48-145 (Occupational and Environmental Health Program)—often within 30 days for occupational illness cases.
It is not the primary form for immediate traumatic injuries (those often start with AF Form 978). Providers determine work-relatedness using guidelines like NIOSH criteria.
Who Completes AF Form 190?
- Medical Provider — Determines work-relatedness, diagnosis, treatment, and disposition; documents on SF 513 and validates in AFSAS.
- Public Health / Bioenvironmental Engineering — Initiates the AFSAS investigation, inputs exposure and workplace data, and ensures the form is generated and accurate.
- AFSAS System — Automatically generates much of the AF Form 190 once an occupational illness is confirmed and validated.
- Supervisor / Employee — Provides initial details (often via AF Form 978) and job task descriptions.
The form requires coordination among the employee, supervisor, medical team, safety office, and PH/BE.
How to Fill Out or Process AF Form 190 (Step-by-Step Guidance)?
While the official form is fillable via the PDF link above, most processing occurs in AFSAS. Here is a general workflow based on Air Force guidance:
- Initial Reporting — Employee notifies supervisor. Supervisor completes AF Form 978 (Supervisor’s Mishap Report) promptly.
- Medical Evaluation — Employee seeks care. The provider assesses symptoms, determines if work-related, and documents findings (often on SF 513).
- AFSAS Initiation — Public Health or Safety enters the case into AFSAS Occupational Illness module. Bioenvironmental Engineering adds workplace evaluation (hazards, controls, measurements).
- Form Generation & Completion — Once confirmed as occupational, AFSAS generates AF Form 190. Key sections typically include:
- Patient identification (name, SSN or DoD ID, organization, occupation)
- Incident details (date(s) of onset/exposure, symptoms, duration)
- Job tasks leading to exposure
- Medical facility, diagnosis, treatment, and remarks
- Disposition (return to duty, restrictions, etc.)
- Signatures and validation
- Review & Closure — Ensure accuracy (peer reviews often check 5%+ of cases). Close the investigation in AFSAS within required timelines.
- Filing — File the completed AF Form 190 in the member’s medical record (hard copy or electronic). Update OSHA 300 log as required (within 7 calendar days for recordable cases).
Pro Tip: Always verify patient demographics, accurate symptom onset dates, detailed job task descriptions, and consistency with other records (AHLTA/CHCS, DOEHRS, OSHA logs). Inaccurate entries can delay closure or affect compliance.
Download the blank/official form here for reference or local use if needed: AF Form 190 PDF.
Related Forms and Regulations
- AF Form 978 — Supervisor’s initial mishap report.
- SF 513 — Consultation sheet used alongside AF Form 190.
- AF Form 469 — Duty Limiting Condition Report (for restrictions).
- Key Guidance:
- DAFI 48-145: Occupational and Environmental Health Program
- DAFI 91-204: Safety Investigations and Reports
- DAFI 91-202: Department of the Air Force Mishap Prevention Program
- DoDI 6055.07: Mishap Notification, Investigation, Reporting, and Record Keeping
These publications are available on the official Air Force e-Publishing site (www.e-publishing.af.mil).
Why Proper Use of AF Form 190 Matters for USAF Personnel?
Accurate reporting protects your health, ensures access to appropriate care and compensation, and helps the Air Force reduce workplace hazards through data-driven prevention. Underreporting can lead to missed opportunities for engineering controls, training, or PPE improvements.
If you are a supervisor, commander, or safety professional, emphasize a just culture—encourage prompt reporting without fear of reprisal. For civilians, this process also supports FECA claims through the Department of Labor.
Need Help?
- Contact your installation Public Health or Bioenvironmental Engineering office for AFSAS access and assistance.
- Reach out to the Occupational Safety Office or Installation Safety for guidance on mishap reporting.
- Consult your medical provider or Occupational Medicine for work-relatedness determinations.
- Always use the latest official form and instructions from Air Force e-Publishing, as forms and processes can be updated.
Download AF Form 190 Now: Official PDF Link
By following proper procedures with AF Form 190, you contribute to a safer work environment for all Air Force personnel. Stay safe, report promptly, and prioritize occupational health.
This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available Department of the Air Force publications as of 2026. Always refer to the most current official guidance on e-publishing.af.mil and consult your local safety or medical experts for case-specific advice.