According to the OSHA recordkeeping regulations, employers are instructed to prepare and maintain records of all the injuries and accidents that happened at their workplace by carrying out a proper workplace incident investigation. The records must include the details of the incident and the penalties they paid using the OSHA 300 Log.Â
The purpose is to evaluate the on-site work environment and share recommendations and regulations that can make jobs safer and more prosperous for both employees and employers.Â
OSHA evaluates all the records and identifies possible work hazards to share proper workplace safety policies in order to protect the firm and its employees from future hazards and life-threatening situations. The federal agency also shares course lines in its two famous courses OSHA 10 Hour and OSHA 30 Hour that are recommended to both - employees and employers to take and get certified.Â
Time and again OSHA has shared its revised policies and made efforts to cover as many industries as possible. Their aim is to keep the workplaces safe and secure and to achieve that they are constantly contributing to educating and guiding the workers while making proper regulations for the organizations to follow.Â
Importance of complying with OSHA regulations
Following the OSHA record-keeping rules come with greater benefits. In industries like manufacturing and construction, employees are exposed to many hazardous tasks and sites. They may have to work for long hours experiencing chemical exposure, and heat. They have to work on huge buildings and crucial construction sites. In such cases, there are higher chances that minor negligence can cause a lot to both - employees and employers.Â
It can cause some serious accidents, injuries, and illnesses. In such cases, where companies have to pay hefty penalties, employees lose their jobs for being inactive and unfit. Hence, OSHA has introduced the injury and illness reporting criteria to eliminate injuries and accidents thus making the workplaces more secure for all.Â
OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
To ensure an effective OSHA inspection preparation they have introduced certain record retention requirements for all organizations to follow. Before we dig deep into it, here's an update: OSHA has now introduced electronic recordkeeping which makes the process much more efficient, flexible, and convenient. Now coming back to the requirements, they are as follows:
Recordkeeping Requirements
Firms with more than 10 employees are required to have a properly maintained record of all injuries and accidents.Â
What aspects are to be recorded in the report?
When it comes to defining the specific data to enter into the reports, here are some important insights:
