OSHA’s Record-keeping Update
OSHA’s updated record-keeping rule expands the list of severe injuries that all employers must report to OSHA. Establishments located in states under Federal OSHA jurisdiction must begin to comply with the new requirements on January 1, 2015. Establishments located in states that operate their own safety and health programs should check with their state plan for the implementation date of the new requirements.
Workplace injuries and fatalities are completely preventable and these new requirements will help OSHA focus its resources and hold employers accountable for preventing injuries and fatalities. The updated rule will also improve access on the part of employers, employees, researchers and the public to information about workplace safety and health and increase their ability to identify and abate serious hazards.
Starting in 2015, employers will have to report the following to OSHA:
-
All work-related fatalities;
-
All work-related inpatient hospitalizations of one or more employees;
-
All work-related amputations; and
- All work-related losses of an eye.
Employers have the following options for reporting the event:
-
By telephone to the nearest OSHA Area Office during normal business hours; or
- By telephone to the 24-hour OSHA hotline at 1‐800-321-OSHA (6742).
OSHA is developing a new means of reporting events electronically that will be available soon at www.osha.gov.
It’s better to lose one minute in life… than to lose life in a minute.
