It is that time of year again when some employers are required to post records of workplace injuries and illnesses. The OSHA recordkeeping requirement falls under 49 CFR 1904.
Note: Employers with
10 or fewer employees are EXEMPT
from OSHA's
injury and illness recordkeeping and posting requirements
;
however, all employers, regardless of size, are required to
REPORT
all work-related fatalities to OSHA within 8 hours.
TPGA reminds our members of this requirement every year because, supposedly, this is one of the first things an OSHA inspector will look for during an inspection.
Basic requirement.
You must use OSHA 300, 300-A, and 301 forms, or equivalent forms, for recordable work-related injuries and illnesses. The OSHA 300 form is called the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, the 300-A is the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, and the OSHA 301 form is called the Injury and Illness Incident Report.
How does OSHA define a recordable injury or illness?
- Any work-related fatality.
- Any work-related injury or illness that results in loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work, or transfer to another job.
- Any work-related injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid.
- Any work-related diagnosed case of cancer, chronic irreversible diseases, fractured or cracked bones or teeth, and punctured eardrums.
Implementation. What do I need to do to complete the OSHA 300 Log?
You must enter information about your business at the top of the OSHA 300 Log, enter a one or two line description for each recordable injury or illness, and summarize this information on the OSHA 300-A at the end of the year.
Every year, prepare an
annual summary using OSHA Form 300A
(
Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
). Post it no later than February 1st, and keep it posted until after April 30th. You are required to post even if there are no injuries or illnesses. You must complete the form with zeros if no incidences occur during the year.
What do I need to do to complete the OSHA 301 Incident Report?
You must complete an OSHA 301 Incident Report form, or an equivalent form, for each recordable injury or illness entered on the OSHA 300 Log.
How quickly must each injury or illness be recorded?
You must enter each recordable injury or illness on the OSHA 300 Log and 301 Incident Report within seven (7) calendar days of receiving information that a recordable injury or illness has occurred.
Retain these records for at least five years
.
Severe Injury Reporting.
Covered employers must report any amputation, loss of an eye, or hospitalization of a worker within 24 hours.
As a reminder,
ALL EMPLOYERS, REGARDLESS OF SIZE,
must report any work-related employee fatality within 8 hours to OSHA or the hospitalization of three or more employees. You can report by calling OSHA's free 24-hour confidential hotline at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).
Forms, instructions, and more information
on the OSHA injury and illness reporting rule can be downloaded by
clicking here
.
PLEASE NOTE:
We are
not
in an affected industry that requires annual electronic reporting of OSHA 300A, just posting it.
