To prevent work-related injuries and illness, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to record work-related injuries and illnesses in an “OSHA log.” OSHA is now issuing a new rule which requires certain employers to submit injury and illness data electronically, effective January 1, 2017.
What does the final rule do?
The new rule revises the current OSHA regulation on Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (29 CFR 1904). It does not add to or change the requirement; it simply requires certain employers to submit some of the information from those records to OSHA electronically. The rule also does the following:
- Requires employers to inform workers of their right to report work-related injuries and illnesses free from retaliation.
- Clarifies the existing requirement that an employer’s procedures for reporting such injuries and illnesses must be reasonable and not deter or discourage employees from reporting.
- Incorporates the existing statutory prohibition on retaliating against employees for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses.
What is the purpose for the new rule?
OSHA will analyze the data collected and use it to improve efficiency and compliance. Some of the information will be posted to the OSHA website. OSHA believes that public disclosure of this information will encourage employers to improve workplace safety. It will also provide valuable information to workers, job seekers, consumers, researchers and the general public.
How will electronic submission work?
OSHA will provide a secure website that provides three options for data submission. Users will be able to manually enter data into a webform, upload a CSV file, or transmit data electronically through an API (application programming interface). The site is scheduled to go live in February 2017.
Who is required to submit electronically?
The final rule is effective Jan. 1, 2017, and reporting requirements will be phased in over two years, as follows:
Establishments with 250 or more employees must begin submitting information from Form 300A by July 1, 2017, and must submit information from all forms (300A, 300, and 301) by July 1, 2018. Beginning in 2019 and every year thereafter, the information must be submitted by March 2.
Establishments with 20-249 employees in certain high-risk industries must begin submitting information from Form 300A by July 1, 2017, and again by July 1, 2018. Beginning in 2019 and every year thereafter, the information must be submitted by March 2.
For more information visit www.osha.gov.
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