Companies with _____ or fewer employees do not need to maintain injury and illness records unless OSHA requests them to do so in writing.

The correct choice highlights that companies with 10 or fewer employees are exempt from the requirement to maintain injury and illness records unless they are specifically requested to do so by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in writing. This rule reflects OSHA's understanding of the administrative burden that recordkeeping can place on smaller businesses, allowing them to focus more on their operational needs rather than extensive documentation.

In larger organizations, the necessity for recordkeeping becomes more critical due to the higher risk of incidents and the increased complexity in managing safety programs. Thus, while OSHA mandates that companies maintain records to track workplace incidents and ensure the safety of their workforce, this requirement is scaled according to the size of the business, with smaller employers facing fewer obligations. This regulation helps to simplify compliance for small business owners and reduce unnecessary paperwork, thus facilitating a better focus on maintaining a safe working environment.