Bottom-line Upfront: Covered employers must send to OSHA the required data from their completed Form 300A by March 2nd.
You recognize the diligence needed as a health care provider to identify, mitigate, and protect the safety of your employees from unnecessary workplace hazards. That's why understanding and meeting the OSHA requirements for tracking workplace injuries and illnesses is crucial for providers and facilities. The goal of the Final Rule is to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses, while ensuring that workers will not fear retaliation if they report any injuries or illnesses.
Let's examine what exactly the Final Rule entails, how it affects health care professionals, and where you can access some helpful OSHA resources for further education.
What is the OSHA Final Rule on recordkeeping regulations?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released a Final Rule to change its recordkeeping rule. This rule removes the requirement for organizations with 250 or more employees that are required to keep injury and illness records regularly to electronically submit information from OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and OSHA Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report).
Only the OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) is required to be electronically submitted by Covered Establishments. The Final Rule does not change the requirement to store and maintain OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301 for five years.
What are the requirements of the OSHA Rule?
The rule requires certain covered establishments to submit injury and illness data electronically. This information should be readily available on their onsite OSHA Injury and Illness forms, which they are already required to record.
Why is OSHA collecting this data?
The reasons why OSHA is collecting this data is to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses by using the data collected. The injury and illness data will help OSHA identify establishments that experience occupational injuries and illnesses at higher rates. OSHA also hopes to ensure that workers will not fear retaliation for reporting injuries or illnesses, leading to improved accuracy in the data.
For more information behind the reasons why, check out OSHA's recordkeeping requirements for improving tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses.
How will it work? Electronic submissions
For establishments that are required to electronically report, OSHA offers three secure options for data submission:
- Users can manually enter data into a web-based form; or
- Upload a CSV file to simultaneously process single or multiple establishments; or
- Use an automated recordkeeping system to transmit data electronically through an Application Programming Interface (API).
The Injury Tracking Application (ITA) is accessible through OSHA.gov and can help employers provide the Agency with their OSHA Form 300A information. Covered employers are required to submit the data from their completed Form 300A to OSHA by March 2nd, 2023.
How do you know if you are required to electronically report?
If your establishment falls under Federal OSHA jurisdiction, you can use the ITA Coverage Application to determine if you are required to report your injury and illness information to OSHA electronically. Some establishments fall under State Plan jurisdiction, so it is wise to contact your State Plan to confirm whether or not you are required to report.
Final Thoughts & Compliance Resources
In conclusion, the OSHA Requirements for Tracking Workplace Injuries and Illnesses are aimed at improving the accuracy of occupational injury and illness data, ensuring that workers will not fear retaliation for reporting injuries or illnesses, and reducing workplace injuries and illnesses.
To determine whether or not your establishment is required to report electronically, you can use the ITA Coverage Application or contact your State Plan. The required date by which covered employers must submit the data from their completed Form 300A to OSHA is March 2nd, 2023.
For more information, please visit the following resources:
- Learn about the OSHA Final Rule itself (via FederalRegister.gov).
- Determine if your organization is required to electronically report their injuries (via OSHA.gov).
- Find out if your establishment is under state jurisdiction (via OSHA.gov).
- For the Injury Tracking Application (ITA) for injury and illness data submissions (via OSHA.gov).
- [Watch Video] YouTube Tutorial explaining "OSHA Injury Tracking Application, Account Creation, and Login Procedures" (via OSHA.gov).
- Determine if your organization falls under the "Partially Exempt Industry" Category (via OSHA.gov).
By taking the time to read this page, you have taken a step
towards gaining a better understanding of how OSHA requires businesses to
document and report on workplace injuries and illnesses. Thank you for
investing your time in learning about this important topic.
If you are unfamiliar with any aspect of the OSHA requirements, please contact HCP to discover what is necessary for your organization to maintain an effective OSHA Compliance program.