#Workplace Safety
By Team Seaglass
When it comes to workplace safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a pivotal role in ensuring employers maintain safe environments for their employees. One of OSHA’s key regulatory requirements is injury and illness reporting. This reporting process is designed to allow employers to track work related injuries and illnesses, identify potential safety hazards within the workplace, and implement prevention measures to protect employee health and safety. This blog will explore the essentials of OSHA’s injury reporting expectations to help you comply with federal and state regulations.
Recordkeeping Requirements
OSHA mandates that certain employers maintain records of work-related injuries and illnesses. This requirement applies to most employers with 10 or more employees.
Key Points:
• Employers must document work-related injuries and illnesses that result in death, amputation, days away from work, restricted work, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.
• Cases involving a diagnosis of a occupational illness by a healthcare professional must also be recorded.
There are certain low-risk industries that are exempt from these reporting requirements. For information on these exemptions, see the following OSHA link: https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/presentations/exempttable
OSHA Forms and Their Usage
Employers are required to use specific forms to document and report injuries and illnesses. Understanding the purpose of each form is essential for compliance.
OSHA Forms:
• Form 300: Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. This form captures detailed information about each incident.
• Form 300A: Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. This is an annual summary of all recorded incidents and must be posted in a visible location.
• Form 301: Injury and Illness Incident Report. This form provides detailed information about how each injury or illness occurred. Your insurance carrier’s First Report of Injury will typically serve as an equivalent form for this purpose. *Note, however, that your carrier does not submit these forms to OSHA.
References to OSHA’s forms can be found at the following link: https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/forms
Reporting Deadlines
Timely reporting is a critical aspect of OSHA compliance. Employers are instructed to meet the following deadlines to ensure they meet regulatory requirements.
• Fatalities: Report to OSHA within 8 hours of learning about the incident.
• Severe Injuries: Report to OSHA within 24 hours. This includes hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye.
• To report fatalities and severe injuries to OSHA, see the following link for instructions: https://www.osha.gov/report
• The Form 300 must be posted in the workplace, visible to all employees, from February 1 to April 30 of the following year.
• Records must be retained for five years following the end of the calendar year they cover.
Electronic Reporting Requirements
In 2017, OSHA introduced the Injury Tracking Application (ITA), which is an online platform for employers to electronically submit workplace injury and illness data.
- Who Must Report Electronically?
• Employers with 250 or more employees in industries covered by the recordkeeping regulations
• Employers in high-risk industries with 20-249 employees. - Where to Submit?
• Electronic submissions must be made through OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA), which can be accessed at https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/ita
• Employers can log in to the ITA portal to submit their Form 300A data by the March 2 deadline. For step-by-step guidance, OSHA provides resources and tutorials on its website to assist with the submission process.
Conclusion
Understanding and following OSHA’s injury reporting requirements plays a crucial role in creating a safer workplace. Accurate reporting helps identify hazards, prevent future incidents, and strengthen a culture of safety and accountability. By proactively integrating these practices into your organization’s safety program, employers can protect their workforce, reduce risks, and promote a healthier, more productive work environment. For more information on OSHA’s Reporting & Recordkeeping expectations, visit: https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping