A new OSHA rule for reporting severe injuries requires adherence to strict time frames for reporting severe injuries and fatalities that occur on the job.
Details of the New OSHA Injury Reporting Rule
As of January 1, 2015, OSHA requires that job-related hospitalizations, amputations or eye losses must be reported by company representatives within 24 hours of finding out about the injury. Work-related deaths must be reported within eight hours of finding out that an employee has died due to events that occurred on the job.
The new OSHA rule updates previous requirements mandating only that deaths and hospitalizations be reported if they involved three or more employees affected by the same incident.
All companies — even smaller businesses with 10 or fewer employees that previously didn’t have to keep records of job-related injuries and illnesses — are affected.
Are There Any Exemptions?
Companies are exempt from reporting requirements if:
- The fatality occurred more than 30 days from the date of the job-related incident.
- The hospitalization, amputation or eye loss occurred more than 24 hours from the time of the incident.
- The employee is hospitalized only for observation or diagnostic testing.
- The injury resulted in a vehicle accident on a public street or highway. Motor vehicle accidents that occur in a construction zone, however, must still be reported.
- The injury happened on a commercial or public transportation system, such as bus, subway, train or airplane.
- The fatality occurred because of a heart attack, even if the heart attack occurred as the result of a work-related incident.
Report incidents at your local OSHA office, by calling 1-800-321-OSHA, or by using the online reporting tool.
Safety managers and company owners can find the most recent information on industry developments in Construction Monitor‘s up-to-date reports. Contact us today for more information on the new OSHA rule for reporting severe injuries and what it will mean for your company.
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