OSHA issued a final rule, which revises its existing regulation on recording and reporting occupational injuries and illnesses.
The new rule requires certain employers to electronically submit injury and illness data that they are already required to submit under existing regulations. Some of this data will be made publically available on OSHA’s website.
OSHA believes public disclosure of illness and injury data should encourage employers to improve workplace safety. The availability of the data should also serve as a useful tool for employers seeking to identify areas of improvement in workplace safety. Under the new rule, all employers with 250 or more employees in industries covered by the existing record-keeping regulation must electronically submit to OSHA injury and illness information from OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301. Employers with 20-249 employees in certain industries must electronically submit information from OSHA Form 300A only. The new rule takes effect January 1, 2017.
The rule also prohibits employers from discouraging workers from reporting an illness or injury and incorporates the existing prohibition on retaliating against workers for making such reports. These anti-retaliation provisions take effect on August 10, 2016.
For additional information and guidance on OSHA’s reporting requirements, please contact an attorney at Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, Ltd.