Beginning January 1, 2015 companies under OSHA’s jurisdiction must begin to comply with the updated recordkeeping standards, which includes an expanded list of injuries that all covered employers must report to OSHA. The revised rule adds the requirement to report all work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations and loss of an eye within 24 hours to OSHA. The requirement to report all work-related fatalities within 8 hours still remains.
In addition, the rule has updated the list of industries that are exempt from the requirement to keep OSHA injury records, and retains the exemption for any employer with ten or fewer employees, regardless of industry classification. Employers with more than ten employees and whose establishments are not classified as a partially exempt industry must record work-related injuries and illnesses using OSHA Forms 300, 300A and 301, available here.
It is important to know whether your state has its own safety and health program (State Plan States) or operates under OSHA rule. Establishments located in states that operate their own safety and health programs, such as Maryland, should check with their state plan for the implementation date of the new requirements. OSHA encourages the states to implement the new coverage provisions on 1/1/2015.
Important facts to know about these recordkeeping requirements include:
- Covered employers must record all work-related injuries and illnesses that result in days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, loss of consciousness or medical treatment beyond first aid.
- Employers must record significant work-related injuries or illnesses diagnoses by a physician or other licensed health care professional, even if it does not result in death, days away from work, restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.
- Injuries include cases such as, but not limited to, a cut, fracture, sprain, or amputation.
- Illnesses include both acute and chronic illnesses, such as, but not limited to, a skin disease (i.e. contact dermatitis), respiratory disorder (i.e. occupational asthma, pneumoconiosis), or poisoning (i.e. lead poisoning, solvent intoxication).
OSHA’s definition of work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities are those in which an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the condition. In addition, if an event or exposure in the work environment significantly aggravated a pre-existing injury or illness, this is also considered work-related.
For more information, see OSHA’s Recordkeeping Information page.
