New for 2017: Some Employers Must Electronically Submit OSHA Injury/Illness Forms

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has long required most employers to document and post information on workplace accidents and illnesses, but beginning this year certain covered employers will also need to submit this information to OSHA electronically.

Who Needs to Document and Post Injury/Illness Records

As in previous years employers with 10 or more employees (with a few exceptions) are required to document serious workplace injuries and illnesses using the OSHA 300 log. Injuries treated with basic first aid are not included.

OSHA defines a recordable injury/illness as:

• Any work-related fatality.
• Any work-related injury or illness that results in loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work, or transfer to another job.
• Any work-related injury or illness requiring medical treatment beyond first aid.
• Any work-related diagnosed case of cancer, chronic irreversible diseases, fractured or cracked bones or teeth, and punctured eardrums.
• There are also special recording criteria for work-related cases involving: needlesticks and sharps injuries; medical removal; hearing loss; and tuberculosis.

The summary of these incidents (Form 300A) must be posted prominently in the workplace from February 1 through April 30 and copies need to be made available to any employee or former employees or their representatives.

Forms and instructions can be downloaded here.

Who Needs to Submit Injury/Illness Records to OSHA

Employers with 250 or more employees AND employers with 20-249 employees in certain high-risk industries will need to submit their OSHA injury and illness records as follows:

• Employers with 250 or more employees must submit the OSHA 300 Log of Workplace Related Injuries/Illness, the 300A Summary of Injury/Illness, and 301 Accident and Injury Report,
• Employers with 20-249 employees in high-risk industries must submit the 300A Summary of Injury/Illness.

This requirement is being phased in under the following schedule:

Employers will submit these records online. OSHA will launch the submission page in February 2017.

What All Employers Should Know

Providing as safe a work environment as possible is one of the most important responsibilities an employer has to their employees. Employers can take steps to prevent workplace injuries and illness by making sure they are mitigating the risk employees face, developing and updating safety policies and procedures, and, clearly communicating those policies and procedures with employees. For some organizations in low-risk environments establishing a safety policy is very simple, while others may face more complex challenges in developing comprehensive policies. Contact HR One using the form below if you have questions about workplace safety and compliance.