FAQ: Which companies are required to track employee work-related injuries and illnesses?
Did you know the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires most US based companies to record and report work-related injuries and illnesses? Let’s discuss each requirement a little further:
1. Record
Employers with US based establishments are required to record injuries and illnesses that are work-related. Within seven (7) days employers are required to record injury or illness details on an incident form (OSHA’s Form 301 may be used or an equivalent form) and OSHA’s Form 300 Log of Work Related Injuries and Illnesses. The first is used for each specific incident while the latter is used to list all work-related injuries or illnesses. Incidents that require recording are those where employees experience: death, loss of consciousness, restricted duty or job transfer, time away from work due to the injury or illness, or medical treatment beyond first aid. Annually (before February 1 of the following year) employers must summarize the incidents on OSHA’s Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. This form must be signed by a company executive and posted from February 1 to April 30. There are a few exceptions to recording: employers that have 10 or fewer employees or employers who are part of the Partially Exempt Industries specified by OSHA. If an employer doesn’t meet these exemptions they are required to record all work related injuries and illnesses as described above.
2. Report
Employers with US based establishments are required to report to OSHA an employee fatality or a work-related incident involves the in-patient hospitalization of 3 or more employees. There are no exemptions to this requirement. Reporting must be done within eight (8) hours of the fatality or hospitalization. The report must be given orally with a live OSHA representative at the area office that is closest to the incident or OSHA’s central telephone number 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742).
Need the forms or further details? Check out the following resources:
OSHA’s Recordkeeping Forms
OSHA’s FREE Recordkeeping Tutorial
OSHA’s Recordkeeping Homepage
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