OSHA Issues Final Rule on Recorkeeping/Reporting Requirements

OSHA issued its final rule on Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements on September 11, 2014, to take effect on January 1, 2015. Changes include new requirements to report amputations, loss of an eye, and hospitalizations of one (1) or more employees within 24 hours. Federal OSHA did not previously require the reporting of amputations or loss of an eye and did not require reporting of employee hospitalizations unless three (3) employees were hospitalized as a result of a single incident. The new reports, similar to fatality reports, will be posted on OSHA's website. See OSHA's webpage for additional information - https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping2014/records.html.

OSHA is also moving from the Standard Industrial Classification System (SIC) to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for the classification of employers to determine which industries may be considered low hazard and potentially exempt from recordkeeping requirements. The new regulation requires previously exempt industries to begin maintaining OSHA 300 Logs, including automobile dealerships, liquor stores, bakeries and museums. For a complete list of industries that will now be required to comply with the recordkeeping requirements follow this link - https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping2014/reporting_industries.html. Other industries previously required to maintain injury and illness records may now be exempt. Follow this link for that list - https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/ppt1/RK1exempttable.html .

Fisher Phillips will be providing additional information to clients in the near future.