The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported that there has been a decrease in worker deaths per day from 38 in 1970 to 13 in 2020 thanks to OSHA’s impact on safety in the workplace. Maintaining OSHA compliance is one of the biggest steps an employer can take to keep workers safe.
One important aspect of OSHA’s mandates is injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting.
The reason for reporting
The injury and illness records serve as valuable tools for evaluating workplace safety, identifying potential hazards and implementing corrective measures. They provide an invaluable window into an organization’s safety performance over time.
Accurate and comprehensive recordkeeping not only keeps the workforce safe but also helps organizations track trends and patterns. It enables them to identify potential issues and implement preventive measures. When employees and management collaboratively work on improving safety, it fosters a culture of well-being within the workplace.
The requirements
The primary document in this process is the OSHA Form 300, which is the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. It requires employers to record detailed information about each work-related injury or illness. This includes the nature of the injury or illness, the affected body part and the circumstances leading to the incident.
Another component of OSHA’s injury and illness recordkeeping is Form 301, also known as the Injury and Illness Incident Report. This form provides in-depth information about individual cases. It includes the employee’s personal details, the nature of the injury or illness and medical treatment. Form 301 ensures transparency and accountability in incident reporting.
OSHA Form 300A, the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, offers an overview of the entire year’s incidents. Employers must post this summary from February 1st to April 30th each year. It informs employees about their workplace’s safety performance and underscores the employer’s commitment to transparency and compliance with OSHA regulations.
OSHA requires employers to report severe injuries and illnesses to the agency within 24 hours. This includes injuries resulting in hospitalization, amputations or loss of an eye. Reporting such incidents promptly is essential for OSHA to respond swiftly and investigate the causes.
Adhering to OSHA’s recordkeeping and reporting requirements is a legal obligation. However, only specific employers, mainly those with more than ten employees, are subject to these recordkeeping requirements.
