Understanding OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements For Employers

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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:

• Work-related fatalities 

• On-site injury, illness, number of days away from work, job transfers

• On-site injury needing medical care 

• Work-related diagnoses case of medical condition or disease whether cancer, fractured bones, chronic or punctured eardrums

• Specific-recording criteria: hearing loss, medical removal, sharps injuries, tuberculosis 

• reporting fatalities and hospitalizations

The information gathered from such records helps OSHA evaluate workplace safety conditions and implement suitable worker protection laws and policies to avoid future work-related injuries and mishappenings. 

Maintaining and Posting Records

Organizations are requested to maintain records every five years. Each February to April, all the firms and employers post a summary of injuries and accidents. It includes the details of those who used to work at the firm including the currently employed ones. If you want to learn more about maintaining and posting the records check the OSHA website. 

OSHA First Aid Recordkeeping

OSHA is among the few whistleblower protection and reporting organizations that have been working at the full boom to save lives and protect the well-being of employees in the USA. When it comes to first aid policies, the agency instructs to use a non-prescription medication for the injured worker. Other clauses include:

• Administering tetanus immunizations

• Using wound coverings such as bandages

• Using hot or cold therapy

• Using any non-rigid means of support like wraps, non-rigid back bells, and elastic bandages

• Using temporary immobilization devices

• Using eye patches

• Using massages to loosen up the muscles as it helps in relieving cramp pains

• Drinking fluids for relief from heat stress

Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

On March 2022, OSHA published a proposed rule, " Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses " according to which the new proposed regulations for organizations are as follows:

• Companies with over 20 employees, working in certain hazardous industries are requested to submit reports to the electronic 300 log form once every year. 

• Companies with over 100 employees should submit the Form 300 Log and Form 301 Incident Report once a year to OSHA for evaluation. Along with this, they are also required to submit the Form 300A Annual Summary.

Moreover, companies that have over 250 employees but do not involve any hazardous site or industry are requested not to submit their record-keeping information to OSHA. These regulations have helped the agency in analyzing the situations and working on making informed regulations and policies to bring about a huge shift in the major industries. 

The main perks that OSHA gets by focusing on and evaluating Forms 300 and 301 involve the following listed benefits to improve the safety and well-being of the workplaces:

• OSHA uses its resources to effectively analyze the ongoing operations and working criteria of the company to offer more suitable compliance assistance and enforcement policies

• Improves the ability of the firms to compare the records of their injuries and accident reports with those of other similar firms and learn from their policies

• Help stakeholders with the ability to make better and more informed decisions for the safety of their employees

• Ensures improved research on occupational safety and health.

Wrapping Up

OSHA record-keeping requirements play a critical role in promoting workplace safety and compliance. By accurately recording work-related injuries and illnesses, employers can identify and address workplace hazards, develop effective safety programs, and demonstrate a commitment to the health and well-being of their employees. Failure to comply with OSHA regulations can result in serious penalties and, more importantly, can put employees at risk for injury or illness.